Super Netball players in limbo as talks on new pay deal collapse

Super Netball players are just hours away from being officially out of contract as the sport’s governing body and the players’ association fail to find common ground.

Every Super Netball player in the league will be officially out of contract at midnight on Saturday, with the Collective Players Agreement set to lapse as Netball Australia and the Australian Netball Players’ Association continue to work through a new deal.

After months of tense negotiations and more than a year working on a new deal, NA and ANPA remain locked on key issues including, as previously reported by Code Sports, the length of a new deal and finer details of any revenue or profit-share model.

Even with time technically left on the clock, both sides have conceded no deal will be done by the deadline, with more than 80 players contracted last season now wondering from where, and when, their next pay cheque will come.

While many – in fact, almost every member of the eight clubs’ full-time lists unless a late deal can be reached on an extra player – already have letters of intent from clubs for the 2024 season, despite contracts being unable to be signed, there remain immediate cash flow issues unless a new CPA is agreed on quickly.

Even if a new agreement is sealed immediately, players could not yet be contracted given the Team Participation Agreements – the contracts between clubs and the league – also remain unsigned.

The standoff is also affecting the announcement of the Diamonds’ squad to take part in the Constellation Cup against New Zealand given the representative CPA has also lapsed.

Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan is involved in ongoing pay talks as the Collective Players Agreement breaks down. Photo: Getty Images

The messy situation around both the domestic code and the world champion Diamonds has been exasperating for all, but shows the resolve of a playing group that believes it is acting not only in the best interests of current athletes, but generations to come.

“It is stressful for everyone, it’s been dragging on for so long,” one well-placed source said.

NA conceded the strain players were under in a statement released on Friday afternoon.

“Netball Australia and the Suncorp Super Netball clubs are very mindful the past few months have been challenging for many players due to the uncertainty surrounding the Collective Player Agreement (CPA),” the statement said.

“We’ve had countless meetings with the Australian Netball Players’ Association since the beginning of the year, with all parties acting in good faith and working hard to arrive at a mutually supported outcome in the interests of players, the league, and the sport at large.

“Our aim throughout this process has been to ensure all contributions are valued, as we work together to build a fair and genuine partnership.

“Negotiations are always a lengthy and complex process and, unfortunately, we are not quite there yet. We acknowledge current player contracts expire tomorrow, 30 September.”

The statement at least hints at a conciliatory tone from both NA and ANPA, who have been at tense loggerheads throughout the drawn-out process.

Whether it leads to a quick resolution, though, is another question.

The world champion Diamonds are also without a CPA less than a fortnight out from their Constellation Cup opener against New Zealand. Photo: Getty Images

ANPA did not release a statement, although its officials, like NA’s, are known to be working feverishly on a resolution, especially as players on far from rich deals are left wondering how to pay the bills.

“We are working hard to finalise an agreement with the Australian Netball Players’ Association and open the official contracting period as soon as possible,” the statement said.

“We are hopeful of another meeting with the Australian Netball Players’ Association as soon as possible to progress the outstanding issues.

“During this time all clubs are also prioritising communicating with players about the practical realities of being out of contract and what support Netball Australia and the clubs can continue to provide.”

Originally published as Super Netball players in limbo as talks on new pay deal collapse