Hancock Prospecting has “regrettably” pulled out of its controversial $15 million Netball Australia sponsorship, in a massive blow to the sport’s financial future.
But the company, owned by Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart, will still provide “short term funding” for four months as Netball Australia searches for an “alternative sponsor”.
Players had questioned wearing Hancock Prospecting logos on their dress, after Indigenous netball Donnell Wallam raised concerns over historic comments made by Hancock Prospecting founder the late Lang Hancock in the 1980s.
Watch the oldest rivalry in Netball as Origin Australian Diamonds face New Zealand in the Constellation Cup AEDT Live & Free on Kayo Freebies. Join now and start streaming instantly >
The Australian squad had rallied around Wallam, confirming she had their support as she prepares to make her international debut in the upcoming England series starting next week.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Hancock Prospecting confirmed it had pulled its sponsorship of the sport, and its subsequent ties to Netball WA and the West Coast Fever through Roy Hill.
RELATED
‘OUTSIDE NOISE’ Diamonds determined to block out ‘toxic’ noise over sponsor saga
CHAIR GONE Go steps down amid $15m sponsorship controversy
‘JUST A MESS’ Ex-captain explains flaw in dress sponsor dispute
DAMNING Ex-board member alleges ‘racism at every level’ of the sport
“Hancock and Roy Hill were not made aware prior to the proposed partnerships, of the complexity of existing issues between Netball Australia and the Players Association. This includes the Players Association’s endeavours to gain a very substantial increase in wages during a time the sport is reeling financially, and unable to provide such an increase,” the statement read.
“Hancock, and similarly Roy Hill, embarked on these proposed partnerships in good faith and on the basis of representations and its resulting understanding that Netball Australia and the sport’s key stakeholder groups including the Australian Diamonds, were united in their support of one of West Australia’s pre-eminent mining companies becoming their principal sponsor.”
Netball Aus bunker down after unrest | 02:22
The statement also revealed Hancock “was advised that the netballers had no concerns wearing the name on the team dress” for the Constellation Cup series.
Ex-Diamonds captain Sharni Norder also clarified that players had been willing to wear the sponsored dresses for the current Constellation Cup series – which Wallam is not a member of the squad, but said those dresses didn’t arrive in New Zealand in time for the series start.
“Hancock and Roy Hill do not wish to add to netball’s disunity problems, and accordingly Hancock has advised Netball Australia that it has withdrawn from its proposed partnership effectively immediately,” the statement read.
“(Hancock) will instead provide a four-month sponsorship should they and their players wish to accept it, to continue funding athletes and to help netball as it arranges alternative funding and sponsorships.”
In a separate statement, Hancock and its executive chairman Gina Rinehart hit out at recent “misreporting” over the netball fiasco, claiming it was “unnecessary” for organisations to be “used as a vehicle for social or political causes”.
“Neither Hancock not Mrs Rinehart have ever requested or insisted that athletes provide any thank you videos or messages – although thank you videos and messages have certainly been received. Hancock and Mrs Rinehart would only ever want athletes to wear the Hancock logo if the athletes were proud to do so,” they said.
“Recent media misreporting has been disappointing, particularly given at no stage did Hancock insist its logo be worn on the Australian Diamonds’ playing dress for the recent games in New Zealand, nor did the Australian Diamonds refuse to wear the Hancock logo.”
Diamonds sponsorship drama escalates | 00:44
It is known that Netball Australia is in financial crisis after losing more than $7m in the past two years, and reportedly in the process of extending $4.2m worth of loans until 2025.
Just two months ago the governing body rejected a $6.5m bailout, ignoring an offer to privatise the sport despite crippling debt threatening the existence of the game.
Hancock Prospecting said sponsorship was a necessary factor in sport.
“Sport is at its best when it is focused on good and fair competition, with dedicated athletes striving for excellence to achieve their sporting dreams and to represent our country at their very best,” the second statement read.
“The reality is that sponsorship is integral to sports organisations – for full-time professionals right through to young children at the grassroots level – who rely on corporations investing the funds that enable all sports to not only survive, but thrive.
“Sadly recent media does not help encourage sporting sponsorships.
“What can be lacking is a sufficient connection between sponsorship funds and the athletes themselves, with money unnecessarily wasted on administration and related costs.
“As is evidence by the other successful sporting partnerships undertaken by Hancock, including the Australian Olympic Committee, Volleyball Australia, Artistic Swimming Australia, Rowing Australia and elite swimmers at both the national and state level, there is overwhelming support for Hancock’s athlete focused funding, enabling training to be prioritised and performances to be enhanced on the global stage – as was proven through the record breaking efforts at the recent Olympic and Commonwealth Games.”
The whole Hancock sponsorship debacle has been labelled “outside noise” by Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich, as the side prepares to try and win back the Constellation Cup on Sunday.
The Diamonds are trailing rivals 2-1 in the series, but a win in game four would see Australia reclaim the Cup on a goal countback.
