Netball Australia fails to agree collective pay agreement with elite players

Netball Australia and the eight Super Netball clubs have today expressed disappointment in the rejection by the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA) of what they have described as a "groundbreaking" collective player agreement.

However, the ANPA is saying that elite "players believe they've bent over backwards" in a bid to reach an agreement, and has called for mediation "to achieve meaningful and fair progress".

In a statement, Netball Australia said that it had offered to increase its investment by $1.275 million, marking a 20% financial pay rise across a three-year deal.

It advised that its $1.275 million offer was in addition to "the earning potential of a profit-share partnership model", as well as "any forecast material increase in the sport's revenue in the short term".

Netball Australia also said it had offered a base-wage increase of nine% over three years and a maximum salary-cap increase of 3% over the same period.

It noted “throughout negotiations, Netball Australia and the clubs have made significant concessions in good faith to finalise the deal and build a strong partnership model with the ANPA and ... Super Netball players.

"Netball Australia and the ANPA met again on Saturday, and we continue to offer to meet to finalise a deal.

"Netball Australia and the clubs are not opposed to mediation, but we are concerned beginning the process at this late stage would extend this already lengthy process and continue to delay the stability and certainty all parties seek.

"Netball Australia and the eight clubs have simply reached their capacity to make further concessions to the ANPA and players without jeopardising the health of the league and its teams, their respective stakeholders and the entire netball eco-system in Australia."

The statement added that "any further increases to player wages" beyond the offer on the table "would be irresponsible" because they would negatively impact funding for community and grassroots netball.

The statement went on to say that the deal proposed "would provide much-needed stability for the players, clubs and the league", and would ensure all parties could "focus on working together collectively to grow" the sport.

It concluded “we appeal to the ANPA to re-consider our revised three-year offer and present it to all ... Super Netball players so they can have their say.”

In its own statement on Monday, the ANPA said Netball Australia had "rejected a real partnership with the players", explained “we cannot in good conscience lock players into an unfair three-year deal which does not reflect their value and contribution.

"Adding to the players' concern is a lack of clarity around the finances underpinning the game, and uncertainty around the strategic direction for netball."

The failure to reach an agreement, in a process that has been in progress since February, has delayed the release of the schedule for the 2024 Super Netball season.

Netball Australia’s proposed three-year agreement (running from 1st October 2023 to 30th September 2026) is aimed to run in parallel with the term of the current Foxtel Group broadcast agreement.

While netball’s Diamonds are number team in the world, a number of recent reports have suggested that the viability of the sport in Australia is in doubt.

Image credit: Super Netball.