Australia’s Diamonds step back from wearing Hancock Prospecting brand during Constellation Cup

An emerging dispute between Netball Australia and its elite players over the recently announced sponsorship of the Australian Diamonds by mining and agricultural conglomerate Hancock Prospecting appears to have erupted.

Playing the opening game of their Constellation Cup series against New Zealand at Auckland’s Spark Arena this week, the Diamonds reverted to their old kit, without Hancock Prospecting branding, despite the sponsor having been due to feature on their uniforms.

Reports suggest that the team have taken a stand against the new sponsor, whose backing had been seen as a lifeline for the financially troubled governing body, after being addressed by their former captain Sharni Norder who is now an ambassador for the Melbourne-based Sports Environment Alliance.

After the announcement of the sponsorship last month, Norder had tweeted “it's unacceptable to put our brand alongside an open climate denier. We have put too much into our sport to give social license to a company who's profit at all cost attitude puts our future in danger.”

Norder went on to tell Fox Sports she had given the players advice on how to approach the sponsorship situation, advising "I did a Zoom (call) with the players just to educate them on doing right by the sport but also doing right by yourself and honouring your own values.

"I just wanted to have a conversation - is that money worth your reputation and what you stand for as a person?

"Just so they are making good decisions for themselves, because they represent the clubs and our country but also themselves."

Speaking about the sport’s wider decision making, former Diamonds stars Bianca Chatfield said that Netball Australia needed to consult more with its players regarding sponsors, telling ABC Summer Grandstand that “when Netball Australia signed their partnership and their new deal with Hancock - it just wasn't communicated to the playing group.

"The playing group just weren't aware of it and all of a sudden they're told that this logo goes on their dress.”

The dispute over the sponsorship follows Super Netball players becoming increasingly unhappy about Netball Australia involving them with decisions regarding the elite domestic competition. They say now is the time to take their seat at the table after a series of controversial moves from the sport's governing body.

Chatfield, a former President of the Australian Netball Players Association, said that in past years there was "a lot of collaboration" between the team and Netball Australia regarding commercial matters, adding “in our sport, it's always been about these conversations and making sure the players are aware.

"Maybe it is the modern-day athlete as well, who has a chance to actually speak up and say what they believe in and not put up with things that don't sit comfortably with them.

"You can't just expect people to accept it and move on and do what's right for the sponsor or the sport, unless they've had some kind of communication and being made aware of what's happening.

"I think it's just a new era in sport and athletes are just not going to put up with it."

Hancock Prospecting Executive Chairman Gina Rinehart is widely reported as a climate change denier.

In an October 2021 address to students at St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls in Perth she was reported to have been critical of what she called climate “propaganda”.

Hancock Prospecting is one of the most significant private investors in Australian sport, partnering with elite level swimming, synchronised swimming, rowing and women’s volleyball, as well as making a multi-million dollar commitment to the Australian Olympic Committee.

The second game of the Constellation Cup series will be played tomorrow in Tauranga.

Netball Australia statement
Netball Australia has this afternoon released a prepared statement on the matter which advises of a delay in introducing the new branding.

The prepared statement declared “this delay (in introducing the Hancock Prospecting branded kits, ed) allows time to ensure players remain focused on the Constellation Cup competition and for Netball Australia and the Australian Netball Players Association to resolve these matters in an appropriate time frame.

“Netball Australia is committed to continuing these conversations and working with all parties to the benefit of our sport.

“The Hancock Prospecting partnership is one of the most significant investments in our sport, $15m dollars (sic) will be provided over four years with 100% directed at players, coaches and the Diamonds high-performance program, providing the opportunity to help grow and strengthen netball.

“Netball Australia, Hancock Prospecting and the Diamonds will continue to work together for the benefit of the entire sport.”

Article amended 6.05pm on 15th October to include the Netball Australia statement.

Image: The Australia Diamonds prior to 2022.