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Netball Australia and Super Netball staff stood down in wake of coronavirus outbreak

Firstly Super Netball announced the players would be taking a pay cut because of the coronavirus, now Netball Australia and SN staff have been stood down.

Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett (middle) and Netball Australia chief executive Marne Fechner have had their pay cut. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts
Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett (middle) and Netball Australia chief executive Marne Fechner have had their pay cut. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Netball Australia and the Super Netball League have stood down 50 per cent of staff in response to the impact of the COVID-19 virus.

The remaining staff have been hit with reduced hours, while the executive staff members have taken a salary hit.

The reductions are until May 31 and NA chief executive Marne Fechner and her SN counterpart Chris Symington have accepted 50 per cent cuts in their salary.

The announcement follows an agreement between the SN and Australian Netball Players’ Association to slash player payments for five weeks.

Netball Australia chief executive Marne Fechner at the season launch in Melbourne. Picture: David Geraghty/The Australian.
Netball Australia chief executive Marne Fechner at the season launch in Melbourne. Picture: David Geraghty/The Australian.

The staff restructure and pay cuts were implemented after the SN season was postponed until June 30, as well as the Australia Netball League, potentially Australian Diamonds international matches and all community netball competitions around Australia.

Fechner said the past few weeks have been the most challenging in her professional career and advising staff of the workforce impacts was heartbreaking.

“There just isn’t an easy way to come to terms with the measures we’ve needed to put in place to ensure there is a Netball Australia for our workforce to return to, when the COVID-19 pandemic has passed,” she said.

“Every Australian has a role to play in stopping the spread of the virus. We all want a healthy

community, and to get the economy back up and running as soon as we can, ensure you socially distance, stay at home unless you need to go out and wash your hands.”

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/netball/netball-australia-and-super-netball-staff-stood-down-in-wake-of-coronavirus-outbreak/news-story/57fae191034650c318e4d12ee649137c