MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Leading players from the Caribbean such as Jhaniele Fowler, Romelda Aiken-George, Shamera Sterling, and Sam Wallace could be in limbo if the current pay dispute in the Super Netball League in Australia rumbles on.
A feud has erupted after the Australia Netball Players’ Association slapped down the latest offer from Netball Australia and the eight Super Netball League clubs.
Officials from Netball Australia and the clubs expressed disappointment at the ANPA’s rejection of the offer that they described as a “ground-breaking” collective player agreement.
The ANPA have counted and said “the players believe they’ve bent over backwards” in a bid to reach an agreement, and they are now appealing for mediation “to achieve meaningful and fair progress”.
Netball Australia said on Monday that an offer was made to increase its investment by AUS $1.275 million – a 20 per cent boost across a three-year deal.
Netball Australia said that offer was on top of “the earning potential of a profit-share partnership model”, and this was without any forecast material increase in the sport’s revenue in the short term, given the current broadcast deal runs until 2026.
Netball Australia also said it ahd offered a base wage increase of nine per cent over three years and a maximum salary cap increase of three per cent over the same term, in addition to increased potential commercial earnings, extra playing and earning opportunities with the introduction of rookies, and a share in the profits generated by the Super Netball League for the first time.
“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,” the Netball Australia statement indicated.
“Netball Australia and the ANPA met again [this past] Saturday, and we continue to offer to meet to finalise a deal.”
The statement added: “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.”
Netball Australia said “any further increases to player wages” beyond the current offer “would be irresponsible” beucase they would negatively impact funding for community and grassroots netball.
The statement indicated that the three-year deal “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.
“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,” the statement concluded.
In response, the players’ association said Netball Australia had “rejected a real partnership with the players”.
“We cannot in good conscience lock players into an unfair three-year deal, which does not reflect their value and contribution,” the players’ association statement added.
“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 schedule for the 2024 Super Netball League season is yet to be released because of the collective player agreement dispute.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds, whose line-up regularly included Sterling and fellow Jamaican Latanya Wilson, soared to new heights when they beat the New South Wales Swifts, whose roster included Sam Wallace of Trinidad & Tobago, by one goal in extra time for their maiden Super Netball League title in July.
