‘Change needs to happen’: Netball faces crucial moment in sport’s future

Leading Super Netball players say the necessary change has occurred at the top levels of the game to repair the rift caused by last year’s damaging pay war.

Jo Harten from the Giants and NSW Swifts star Paige Hadley. Picture: Getty Images

Leading Super Netball players say the necessary change has occurred at the top levels of the game to repair the rift caused by last year’s damaging pay war.

Despite unprecedented success on the court, netball was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons over the past 12 months, with the protracted and pernicious wrangling over a new Collective Player Agreement damaging relationships between the playing group and Netball Australia bosses.

Chair Wendy Archer stepped down this week, although she will retain her spot on the board.

But Archer’s move, combined with former chief executive Kelly Ryan resigning and ex chair and director Marina Go, deputy chair John O’Sullivan and Jane Seawright all stepping away from the board, have players believing they start the season with a clean slate.

Sunshine Coast Lightning captain Steph Fretwell said change was needed after what was an enormously tough time for all in the game.

Netball has been in the headlines for all of the wrong reasons these past 12 months. Picture: Getty Images

“So that has happened. Now think it’s about moving forward and going, okay, how can we grow the game of netball?” Fretwell said.

“How can we get it to the point of the Diamonds being celebrated just as much as the Matildas have been celebrated? How can we move our sport forward to be financially viable and bringing more income?

“Change needs to happen and that change is coming but it is now about making sure we put the right people in the right spots to grow this game.”

Fretwell said what the players had been fighting for through a tough time had been really important and while the veteran former Diamonds shooter and many of her contemporaries might not be the main beneficiaries, it was important they stood up for the next generation.

“I think a lot of us players realise that it’s probably not going to be us that reap the benefits of what we were doing.

Sunshine Coast Lightning captain Steph Fretwell. Picture: Getty Images

“We know it’s going to be the next generation of players but that’s what (the likes of) Liz Ellis and Cath Cox did for us.

“This is why we’re doing it - for the next generation of players. I really hope that a lot of younger players (recognise) the names of your Maddy Turners your Jo Westons, your Tara Hinchliffes because they were a massive part and they did a lot for us to be able to get to,” she said of Australian Netball Players Association president Weston and her fellow ANPA club representatives.

Giants captain Jo Harten was another glad the sport had clean air after watching the game she loved in the headlines for all the wrong reasons over the past year.

“When you’re in the middle of what essentially is an employment dispute with either a governing body or a players’ association, it’s really tough because you want to tell the whole story but you also you also have to hold integrity as an athlete, as a member of the netball community,” former England international Harten said.

“The netball players’ association, the netball cohort, were trying to do the right thing, not by ourselves almost but by the future generations - and that doesn’t always come across in the best way in the media in the public domain.

Former England international Jo Harten, who will suit up for the Giants. Picture: Getty Images

“And that’s when it is really challenging. But what I’ve learned out of that is that the truth will always rise to the top. It will always be apparent.

“If you’re good enough human and a good enough organisation, you can mend and you can rebuild bridges as long as you have that respect for each other.

“Netball is a game based on respect for the female community. I don’t think that was lost throughout that period, but it was definitely challenged.”

Diamonds Paige Hadley and Kate Moloney are others thrilled that attention can now be focused on action on the court rather than drama off it.

“I think as players we’re just excited to get out there and play and that’s what we want to be talking about is the netball that we’re producing out on court,” Melbourne Vixens leader Moloney said.

“I’m really excited for that and hopefully not having too much background noise going on this season.”

Melbourne Vixens centre Katie Moloney is confident the attention will return to the court now Super Netball is back. Picture: Getty Images

NSW Swifts co-captain Hadley, also a key member of the Diamonds’ leadership group, said it was nice to be focused on performance.

“I think putting that (dispute) in the past and obviously moving forward as a sport, making sure that our product and what we’re putting out there is the highest it can be (is crucial),” Hadley said.

Play starts again on Friday with the pre-season Team Girls Cup at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney, the first chance most fans will have to see new club the Melbourne Mavericks in action.

The Melbourne Vixens and defending premiers Adelaide Thunderbirds clash in the opening match from 4.30pm.

Meanwhile, criteria has been circulated for nominations for the three vacant NA board positions - two appointed and one elected - which close on March 28.

Originally published as ‘Change needs to happen’: Netball faces crucial moment in sport’s future