Adelaide Thunderbirds gun Maria Folau cleared of any wrong doing but misses crucial goal

Netball SA refuses to endorse Maria Folau’s re-post of husband Israel’s GoFundMe page but throws its support behind the T-Birds shooter as she misses chance to win Super Netball clash.

• 46,000-strong group backing Folau
• ‘Greedy’ $7m man Folau raking in public cash

Under siege netball star Maria Folau failed with two attempts at goal after time had expired in an extraordinary opportunity to give Adelaide Thunderbirds victory over NSW Swifts at the Entertainment Centre on Sunday.

The game finished in a 51-all draw just hours after Netball SA released a statement refusing to endorse Folau’s re-post of husband and controversial rugby star Israel’s Go-Fund-Me page seeking financial support for his fight with Rugby Australia.

Israel is challenging RA after his $4m contract was torn up following religious-driven homophobic posts on social media.

Thunderbirds shooter Maria Folau during the clash with NSW Swifts at the Entertainment Centre on Saturday. Picture: AAP/Mike Burton

However, NSA claimed Maria had not contravened its social media policy and it would continue to support her, as it does with all its players.

Netball Australia said no action would be taken against Maria and she would be supported as a valued member of the Thunderbirds and Super Netball.

“We are committed to providing welcoming, inclusive and supportive places for all people to play and watch our great game,” a NA spokesperson said.

NSA chief executive Bronwyn Klei said her organisation was fiercely determined to provide

an inclusive environment that allows anyone to participate in the great game of netball regardless of gender, religious belief, age, race or sexual orientation.

“We also believe in fairness and perspective,” she said. “Like millions of other people across Australia, Maria Folau uses her personal social media platform to share her life and beliefs with her family, friends and fans.

“This week, she shared her husband’s controversial Go-Fund-Me post. While NSA in no way endorses the re-posting, we do not believe Maria has contravened our social media policy.

“Maria is a key member of the Thunderbirds. Not only has she provided great strength and leadership on court, she attends and works with netballing clinics, spends a lot of time with fans, engages with local communities and passionately encourages young kids with their netball dreams.”

Former Australian captain and television commentator Liz Ellis was outspoken on Twitter in response to the statement, claiming there was no room for homophobia in netball.

Maria Folau of the Thunderbirds talks to Tania Obst coach of the Thunderbirds during the round 9 Super Netball match between the Thunderbirds and the Swifts at Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“Anyone who is seen to support or endorse homophobia is not welcome,” she said. “As much as I love watching Maria Folau play netball, I do not want my sport endorsing the views of her husband.”

The tweet immediately gained tremendous support.

There was also a tweet suggesting starting a Go Fund Me page to buy Maria a match winning goal.

Maria received the loudest reception from the crowd when introduced into the court before the contest against the Swifts.

Yeah nah not good enough.
How about this:
There is no room for homophobia in our game. Anyone who is seen to support or endorse homophobia is not welcome. As much as I love watching ⁦@MariaFolau⁩ play netball I do not want my sport endorsing the views of her husband. pic.twitter.com/IR5jecVm6O

— Liz Ellis (@LizzyLegsEllis) June 23, 2019

But loyal Thunderbirds fan Nikki Barnard said Maria would have been smart not to react to Israel’s social posts.

“I don’t agree with their Go-Fund-Me page when there are so many sick people and families struggling,” she said. “I understand Maria wants to stand by her husband, but she would have been smart to stay out of it.

“I like what she brings to the Thunderbirds team, but not what she stands for.”

The competition goes into recess for four weeks while the World Cup is contested in England and Maria will front for the Silver Ferns.

Originally published as Adelaide Thunderbirds gun Maria Folau cleared of any wrong doing but misses crucial goal