'Historic' three-year pay deal agreed between Netball Australia and elite players

Super Netball players have agreed a new pay deal with Netball Australia that includes revenue sharing revenue with the governing body - ending a year-long stalemate that has seen players go unpaid for two months.

Announced a day after the exit of former Netball Australia Chief Executive Kelly Ryan, the three-year Collective Player Agreement (CPA) increases minimum pay for athletes from $40,000 to $46,000 over the term of the deal with the average potential salary to reach $89,000.

Overall players will be paid 11% more over the three years, and will receive backpay for the period since 1st October when the previous deal ended.

They will also share up to 20% of sponsorship revenue above what Netball Australia forecasts.

Advising that the deal was a "historic moment for the game", Netball Australia interim Chief Executive, Stacey West stated “the new revenue share partnership with the players is a historic moment for the game that will set up netball for future success and ensure financial stability for the sport.

"(We) love our sport and we are all committed to the growth and success of not only top-level competition but also future generations for grassroots players."

Australian Netball Players’ Association (ANPA) Chief Executive, Kathryn Harby-Williams, who last month described a previous offer from Netball Australia as a "publicity stunt", also called the new CPA “historic”.

Explaining that it was a “historic day for netball players and for the sport”, Harby-Williams noted “it’s a day when revenue sharing enters netball for the first time with all of the benefits this brings.

“The operating model for netball has changed for the better, particularly at a time when there is competition for talented female athletes, many of whom come through the netball ranks.

“Netball is now a sport which incentivises players and administrators alike to grow the game for the benefit of all who love and invest in it. This is a stepping stone to even greater things for the sport.”

Players in the Super Netball competition are paid over the entire year, even though the season typically runs from March to July. They are given time during the week to continue working or studying, allowing them to continue as elite athletes as well as pursue off-court ambitions.

During the lengthy dispute, Diamonds players had been threatened with legal action if they failed to attend Netball Australia's annual award ceremony late last month, with players releasing a statement saying they were only attending because they were "legally obligated" to do so.

Image: Super Netball action at Brisbane's Nissan Arena. Credit: Nissan Arena.