Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan has championed the organisation’s plan to sell the hosting rights for the Super Netball Grand Final to the highest bidder.
But Super Netball players have called for a “culture change” in the organization, saying the decision to move the game so late in the season is “distressing” and “devastating.”
The controversial deal, first reported yesterday, will see Perth host this year’s grand final, regardless of the results, after Western Australia outperformed rival bids from two other states.
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The decision will allow cash prizes to be awarded: $ 100,000 to the winners and $ 25,000 to the runners-up, and the game will move to Sunday, July 3 at 7:00 PM EST (5:00 PM local).
The winner of the main semi-final between the first and second ranked teams after the regular season has almost always been granted hosting rights since the foundation of the competition in 1997. The only exceptions have been during the pandemic.
The main semi-final is almost certain for the Melbourne Vixens to host West Coast Fever, as the Vixens are two games ahead with two rounds remaining, with the Fever two games ahead of the third.
But now the leaders of the standings could beat Fever for the third time this season, after two victories in the regular season, and they will still have to play in front of their fans in the Grand Final.
Alternatively, the Fever, who have lost two of their last three games, could miss the Grand Final altogether, which means that two non-WA teams would be forced to play, which raises questions about how many fans will attend.
Nat Medhurst talks about the shockball netball movement 06:04
Covid-19 has been forced to play a decisive role at a Queensland biosecurity center for the past two seasons, and the impact of the pandemic on Netball Australia’s results has pushed them to pawn the competition’s most prominent event.
“The reality is that Netball Australia is in a very difficult financial position,” Ryan told Fox Sports’ Center Circle.
“Netball Australia had a loss of about $ 4.4 million for the 2021 season and now, unfortunately, has bank loans for less than $ 4 million.”
He added: “We are making this decision in the best interest of the sport.”
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Fans have erupted in fury over the deal, while players and coaches were only informed of the decision this week – 12 weeks after a regular 14-round season.
The president of the Australian Netball Players Association, Jo Weston, issued a statement on Thursday night.
“Suncorp Super Netball’s professional Netball players have called for a change of culture in Netball Australia as a result of this organization’s unilateral, hasty, end-of-season and fundamental change in the competition’s game arrangements and the way Players have been treated before and after the decision, “it read.
“The players are devastated, both by the decision and by the way it has been managed. It was extremely disappointing to learn of such an important decision after the fact and, once again, not to have been consulted in the process. But it was even more distressing to be deliberately misled by Netball Australia, about the state of the decision and the nature of its commitment to us.
“To move the sticks after the 12th round, when all the teams have ‘broken their guts’ to have the opportunity to host a grand final in front of family, friends, members and fans after two years of Covid’s commitments, without even asking a single player what they thought, is groundbreaking, demonstrating a fundamental lack of understanding of why we play and what we have sacrificed.
“The players are committed with soul and heart to our sport, and to its promotion and development, commercial and community. Netball Australia tells us that we are “the most important asset of the game” and a priority “partner”. And yet we are treated as the lowest priority.
“Either the behavior has to change, or the people have to change. We want to work with a Netball Australia that understands that if they want to grow the game and want players to be valuable partners in this business, they need to change the way they relate to us.
“What Netball Australia doesn’t seem to understand is that one of the best things about playing netball is that the sport attracts and develops strong, intelligent, independent thinking women. We want Netball Australia to recognize great talent, inside and out. of the court, that we have in our group of players and that they treat us with respect and confidence “.
Former Diamonds star and Fox Netball commentator Nat Medhurst told Fox Sports News on Wednesday that the leak was a total surprise: “It’s a shock that was announced today.”
Netball GF is sold to the highest bidder 01:53
“It simply came to our notice then. We are just two weeks away from the final and the moment is a bit worrying … The mind is confused “.
Medhurst compared the decision to Super Netball’s most controversial call-up: the introduction of Super Shot with little intervention from players, fans or clubs, and added: “Not making that decision before the start of the season means nothing. sense and obviously it has provoked a lot of reaction, “he added.
In a league statement, Ryan said: “Western Australia has a fantastic track record in hosting major sporting events and we are delighted to bring the 2022 Grand Final to Perth.
“Having a fixed place each year will provide a better overall experience of the event by maximizing attendance at the Grand Final stands and increasing the match audience through Foxtel and Kayo Freebies, for fans across the country.
“For the first time in Suncorp Super Netball League history, cash prizes will provide a significant financial boost to both Grand Final teams. This will allow teams to invest in community-wide growth and participation activities.
“Netball Australia would like to thank the WA government for their support of the 2022 Grand Final and for their commitment to growing sport in their state.
“We will do everything we can to keep our sport strong for all levels of the community across the country.
“We understand that the netball community is disappointed at the time of this announcement. We have had to move quickly to secure this funding investment for our sport.”