The Australian Netball Players Association has called for an independent review into an investigation of a bullying complaint by former Queensland Firebirds player Remi Kamo, with the players union concerned the process did not meet the “required standards of fairness and rigour”.
Netball Australia earlier this year announced the findings of the independent investigation, which found that “based on the evidence considered, the allegations were not substantiated in relation to specific breaches of … codes and policies”.
However, Kamo and the ANPA have criticised the governing body’s decision not to disclose information about the investigative process, despite “multiple requests”. Kamo has also accused investigators of not contacting witnesses who were willing to provide evidence.
ANPA said it had raised concerns with NA regarding aspects of the investigation process.
“While the investigation was conducted by a third party, this in itself does not guarantee procedural fairness,” a spokesperson said. “We believe that key steps expected in a fair and thorough process may have been missed.
“These include the investigator not confirming with Remi the specific allegations that would form the scope of the investigation, and the omission of interviews with some key witnesses named in Remi’s complaint.
Former Firebirds player Remi Kamo (left).Credit: Getty Images
“Despite multiple requests, Remi has not been provided with a list of the allegations that were investigated, nor a summary of the findings. While we respect Netball Australia’s responsibility to uphold confidentiality for all participants in the investigation, the allegations themselves are known to Remi, and we believe it is both possible and appropriate to provide her with a clear summary of the findings without breaching those protections.”
On Wednesday, NA doubled down on comments made by chief executive Stacey West in March, when she said the case had been independently investigated and was now closed.
“The independent investigation into the Firebirds matter was concluded in February and the findings and outcomes were shared with all parties to the matter,” NA said in a statement.
“Netball Australia has advised the ANPA that the independent investigation is closed, in line with the NA Integrity Framework. Outside of concerns that have already been independently investigated, to date, Netball Australia has not received any further misconduct allegations or claims specific to the experience of Firebirds players.
Netball Australia chief executive Stacey West.Credit: Getty Images for Super Netball
“Consistent with a speak-up culture, should any player [or former player] in any team raise concerns about their experience, Netball Australia will listen and appropriately address them. There is an existing hotline for players to report concerns and complaints confidentially, as well as other mechanisms including the NA integrity inbox and through Sports Integrity Australia.”
If NA was to agree to the ANPA’s request for an independent review into the investigation, both organisations would need to agree on a third party, such as a law firm, to carry out the review and determine whether it had met required standards.
Kamo said she had “no confidence in Netball Australia’s response to my complaint”.
“I witnessed and experienced bullying in an unsafe environment,” Kamo said in a post on Instagram. “Calls for help fell on disinterested ears.
“As a last resort, I made a formal complaint to Netball Australia. It’s not something I wanted to do … But it was something that had to be done. It turns out that one can be simultaneously brave and naive. Naive to think the fairness which the sport of netball teaches its players would extend to the way netball administration treats its players.
“Because I believed all relevant witnesses to my complaint would be interviewed. They were not. Some people who saw and felt what I did, were not even contacted, despite being available to help the investigation.
“I hoped that some real findings relevant to my complaint would be made such that the sport could learn and something good might come of it. Turns out no findings of any sort have been made at all.”
