Netball Australia apologises for scoreboard error at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena

Netball Australia has apologised after system failures led to a scoreboard error that cost the Sunshine Coast Lightning a victory in their Super Netball clash against the Giants at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday night.

The scoreboard in the stadium showed the Lightning had won at the end of regulation time, but a review led to extra time being played almost an hour after play had stopped. Lightning then lost 86-80 in overtime.

The Queensland team walked off the court at the Sydney Olympic Park venue when the full-time siren sounded thinking they had won, with the scoreboard showing they were in front 71-70.

Players and coaches from both sides shook hands and disappointed home fans began filing out of the exits.

With Champion Data showing the score as 71-all, the Giants remained on court while the visitors were in their change room, before a 50-minute investigation revealed the match was actually tied, forcing overtime.

The Lightning warmed up again but were no match for the Giants during the additional two five-minute halves.

Netball Australia issued a statement on Sunday apologising for the lack of a formal process, which resulted in confusion for both teams.

New Netball Australia Chief Executive, Stacey West advised “we apologise to our fans - both in stadium and at home - and to both teams for the errors that occurred.

"These errors should not have occurred and caused significant confusion in venue and also for those watching at home.

"There were failures in our systems, processes and communication that have been addressed to ensure this does not happen again."

The Netball Australia review revealed the score was correct at the venue and in the broadcast with 1 minute and 24 seconds remaining, when it was incorrectly adjusted by a bench official.

Netball Australia conceded the competition did not have a formal process in place to officially notify umpires and teams a score review was being undertaken - but said it would have one before the next round.

Post-match, the Lightning said they were considering a formal protest, with coach Belinda Reynolds saying her team would have played out the last half-minute of regulation time differently had the scoreboard been correct.
With AAP

Image: Sydney Olympic Park's Ken Rosewall Arena in netball mode; Credit: Giants Netball.