Super Netball players to take pay cut in wake of coronavirus outbreak
With the Super Netball season already delayed two months, the players have now agreed to a pay cut to help the league negotiate the current difficult time.
Netball
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The nation’s leading netballers are to take a pay cut to help the Super Netball League negotiate the serious impact of the COVID-19 virus.
The Australian Netball Players’ Association have committed to a deal with the league to reduce player payments for five weeks.
The 10 contracted players from the eight clubs, including Adelaide Thunderbirds, will take two weeks leave from all club duties from Monday and then remain at home on “active rest” for seven hours a week for the following three weeks at a 70 per cent reduction in pay.
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A review of this date is to be completed by late May, while training has also been halted.
Chief executive Chris Symington said he appreciated the playing group doing its bit to
assist the league and the teams through this challenging time.
“These are difficult and unprecedented times, not only in netball, but right across the world,” he said.
“In a less than ideal situation, our players have shown maturity and understanding throughout these discussions and we’re pleased to have reached an outcome for the near future.
“The league has put measures in place to ensure that all players have wellbeing support during this time, and, over the next five weeks, we will have further discussions with the ANPA to determine any further changes to conditions that might need to be made.”
Australian Netball Players’ Association chief executive Kathryn Harby-Williams said the players, just like many other Australians and people around the world, recognise the significant impact the coronavirus is having on lives and economies.
“Our sport is not immune,” she said.
“Over the past few days we have endured some of our most difficult times when faced with the harsh reality of an uncertain future.
“We fully understand we need to play our role to enable netball to get through these bleak times, hence we have agreed to take a pay cut.
“Our game has worked really hard to continue to increase the minimum wage and allow players to be contracted for 12 month periods, but the brutal truth is that our minimum wage is $30,000 per annum and this pay reduction will be severely felt.
“However, we know we are not alone and many others throughout our community are suffering.”