Incoming Diamond Paige Hadley has backed Australia to regain the Constellation Cup against New Zealand and continue to put aside the controversy surrounding sponsorship deals and pay negotiations.
Hadley was touch-and-go to return for Sunday’s final Constellation Cup match against the Silver Ferns but is set to come back into the squad for the three-Test England Roses series after recovering from a calf injury.
The Diamonds can seal the series with a win on the Gold Coast and while relations between the players and executive remain strained, the playing group itself remains resilient and focused.
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“I always thought the Diamonds would bounce back and find their spark … we just had to work on our structures particularly without Gretel (Bueta),” Hadley said.
In declining to discuss the sensitivities around Hancock Prospecting and its $15 million sponsorship of the Diamonds, Hadley said discussions were ongoing between the playing group and Netball Australia.
Poor internal relationships between the executive and playing group continue to hamper CEO Kelly Ryan who has been unapologetic in her bid to turn around the game’s $7 million loss over the past two years.
Ryan drew the ire of players when she sold off the Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final, just weeks out from the match, and also not consulting the players prior to committing to the Hancock Prospecting deal.
Netball Aus bunker down after unrest | 02:22
The introduction of the two-point Suncorp Super Shot without player consultation has also angered the netball fraternity.
Speaking prior to the first Constellation Test, Hadley said: “It’s safe to say that since the Super Shot was introduced, we have wanted better transparency.”
“We don’t want an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ – we all love our game and want to be part of and support decisions that make our game better.
“We are all so invested, we want to make it work.”
Netball Australia said it remains a priority to resolve the concerns raised about the commercial agreement with Hancock Prospecting while the mining giant said they looked forward to working with the Diamonds assuming agreement with all parties can be met.
The Diamonds will finish the Constellation Cup without the Hancock logo on their uniforms and with Indigenous player Donnell Wallam set to make her international debut in the England Roses series, it remains to be seen whether a resolution can be found.
Wallam’s mentor Sharon Finnan-White told media outlets that Wallam, who is set to become the third Indigenous player to become a Diamond, would like Gina Rinehart to denounce her father’s words and make a public statement.
Finnan-White, the Diamonds second Indigenous player, said Wallam is acutely aware of the financial support the sponsorship would provide the sport and is “feeling the pressure”.
Australia’s Constellation Cup and England Series fixtures – all matches will be shown live and exclusive on Kayo.
Australia vs New Zealand
Sunday, October 23
Australia vs England
Wednesday, October 26
Australia vs England
Sunday, October 30
Australia vs England
Thursday, November 3
