Victorian government announces Diamonds sponsorship after Gina Rinehart deal tanks

Dan Andrews has dropped a bombshell regarding the Australian Diamonds and their tanked $15m sponsorship deal with Gina Rinehart’s company.

The Victorian government has sensationally stepped in to fill the Australian Diamonds’ funding void left when billionaire Gina Rinehart pulled her sponsorship for the national women’s netball team.

Speaking on Monday morning, Premier Daniel Andrews said the deal would be worth $15m over four years and the Diamonds would wear the Visit Victoria logo.

Hancock Prospecting, which was founded by Ms Rinehart’s father Lang Hancock, walked away from their sponsorship agreement with Netball Australia earlier this month after a player objection, led by Aboriginal woman and Diamonds player Donnell Wallam.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews revealed Visit Victoria would be the new sponsor of the Australia Diamonds netball team. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Donnell Wallam was uncomfortable being associated with Hancock Prospecting. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Netball Australia

Ms Wallam, supported by her teammates, had expressed concern over racist statements made by Mr Hancock in 1984.

In those comments, Mr Hancock had advocated the sterilisation of Indigenous Australians who failed to assimilate to white Australian society.

Mr Andrews said the funding deal was a “really big win” for the state.

“This is a coup, other states wanted this,” he on Monday morning.

Mr Andrews said five tests would be played in Melbourne under the deal, as well as the 2023 Super Netball grand final.

Players and coaches would also be involved in promoting the state under the agreement.

Netball Australia chief executive Kelly Ryan said the Victorian government was one of multiple potential sponsors to reach out in the wake of Hancock Prospecting’s withdrawal.

Hancock Prospecting Group withdrew their offer of $15m in funding after the controversy hit national headlines.

The decision by Diamonds players to reject any association with Hancock Prospecting drew sharp criticism from large sections of politics and the media.

Netball, despite its popularity, has struggled to attract funding at a level similar to other codes, and Netball Australia is reportedly $7m in debt.

Last week, Nationals MP and former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce lashed Netball Australia and Diamonds players on Sunrise.

“How about saying thank you, rather than I don’t want (the money)?” Mr Joyce said.

“You’ve got $15m of somebody else’s money that’s been given to you … Now the money is gone, guess what, we haven’t got the money to pay our players and to cover the financial situation that Netball Australia finds itself in.”

Originally published as Victorian government announces Diamonds sponsorship after Gina Rinehart deal tanks