The Australian Diamonds were almost forced to miss next month’s Quad Series in Cape Town due to money concerns, it’s been revealed.
It’s an embarrassing low for the number one ranked netball team in the world, who endured a very public funding fall out back in October.
According to a NewsCorp report released on Saturday, Netball Australia was left at “breaking point” by Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart’s decision to abandon her $15m sponsorship pledge in October – despite Visit Victoria since stepping up to cover the deal.
The fact Netball Australia was so concerned about funding the Diamonds’ travel plans is a massive blow for a sport widely regarded one of the top participated in Australia.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Just this week, Netball Australia boasted of rising participation levels across the country, with almost a million people playing the game in the year to June 2022, according to Australian Sports Commission data.
It’s a nine per cent increase on participation rates from Netball Australia’s internal registration data.
But with a trip to South Africa already booked for mid-next year for the World Cup, the second trip for 2023 couldn’t be locked in until Friday – despite both Australian and England coaches in October revealing the Quad Series was in the pipeline.
MORE NETBALL NEWS
IN CHAOS: Hancock pulls $15m sponsorship amid player controversy
COLLATERAL DAMAGE: Fever left reeling as sponsorship row hits home
FUNDING CONCERNS: Fears for netball’s future as $15m deal pulled
$15M LIFELINE: New sponsor emerges after Hancock deal sinks
Netball Australia boss Kelly Ryan confirmed an additional budget was needed for a second trip to Cape Town, where they’ll face fellow leading netball nations England, New Zealand and South Africa.
“Netball Australia assesses all international opportunities for the Origin Australian Diamonds, considering a wide range of factors including travel and timing,” Ryan told NewsCorp.
“The Australian Diamonds playing group was aware that the withdrawal of the (Hancock) sponsorship could have an impact on Netball Australia’s plans and activities.
Australia take out Fast Five series | 00:49
“Netball Australia is incredibly pleased that the Diamonds will be participating in January’s Netball Quad Series a key lead-up event to the World Cup in July 2023 that will also be played in South Africa.”
The devastating funding reveal comes on the back of a whopping $7 million loss in the past two years and then the disastrous $15m sponsorship attempt by Rinehart – which was pulled when a divide emerged between players and the sport’s governing body.
Indigenous netball Donnell Wallam had raised concerns about the Rinehart sponsorship due to historic comments made by her late father Lang Hancock.
As a result, Diamonds players committed to supporting Wallam as she requested an exemption from wearing the Hancock Prospecting logo on her national dress.
Rinehart later withdrew her support for Netball Australia, and the subsequent partnership with reigning Super Netball champions the West Coast Fever, as a result of the controversy.
The Diamonds will take on South Africa, England and New Zealand in the four-match series from January 22-26, 2023.
The Netball Quad Series will be broadcast live and exclusively on Fox Sports, available through Kayo Freebies and Foxtel.
