Australian netballers have signed a historic pay deal just a day after the resignation of Netball Australia boss Kelly Ryan, marking the end of a year-long industrial dispute that threw the sport in turmoil.
The three-year deal is a major win for the netballers who have not been paid since September.
Australia’s netballers have signed a three-year deal with Netball Australia, a day after its CEO stood down. Credit: Getty
Players for the Super Netball league will now be able to sign contracts for the 2024 season. They will also receive an immediate 11 per cent pay rise, back paid to October 1.
Most notably, the sport and netballers have entered into a revenue share model partnership, which will mean they will receive 20 per cent of sponsorship above forecast revenue.
This had been the sticking point for both parties, with Netball Australia previously adamant they could not afford a revenue share model, instead pushing for a profit model.
Netball Australia interim CEO Stacey West, who took over after Ryan’s immediate resignation on Tuesday, celebrated the revenue share partnership.
“The new revenue share partnership with the players is a historic moment for the game that will set up netball for future success and ensure financial stability for the sport,” she said.
Her words on Wednesday were a far cry from Netball Australia’s previous stance on the hybrid revenue share model.
As recently as October, the now-former Netball Australia boss Ryan said a revenue share was not viable.
“The league is not making any money. So if we start carving out revenue, before actually covering expenses of running the league, that sends us into a much further debt position than what we’re currently in,” Ryan had said.
Union boss Kathryn Harby-Williams said the introduction of the revenue share model has “changed [the sport] for the better”.
“Netball is now a sport which incentivises players and administrators alike to grow the game for the benefit of all who love and invest in it.”
More to come
