Super Netball 2022: Emma Greenwood on Queensland Firebirds’ silence over Maria Folau
Queensland Firebirds have gone to ground since their interest in signing Maria Folau was revealed. Emma Greenwood writes if netball wants to be taken seriously, that’s not good enough.
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Queensland Firebirds officials have gone to ground as the club continues to bury its head in the sand over negotiations with Maria Folau.
The Super Netball club refused News Corp’s requests to talk to its chief executive or coach on Thursday, the organisation saying it had “nothing to add” to the conversation over signing a replacement for veteran goaler Romelda George, who will miss the season while pregnant with her first child.
In dwelling on their own anger at discussions with Folau being revealed, the Firebirds have shut up shop, leaving fans in the dark over a replacement player just three weeks out from the season start.
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Folau was an outstanding player, having represented New Zealand’s Silver Ferns 150 times in a stellar career that included two Commonwealth Games gold medals and a World Cup win.
But she has been retired since 2019 and a comeback after two-and-a-half years out of the game has genuine question marks over it on athletic grounds alone — as it would for any other retired player.
But the wife of controversial rugby player Israel Folau — who was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 after posting a meme on social media warning that homosexuals, among others, would go to hell unless they repented their sins - comes with other baggage.
The deeply religious Folau stood by her husband during a protracted and divisive legal battle with Rugby Australia and reposted a fundraising campaign for his legal fees to her social media channels during her last Super Netball stint, sparking debate about whether she was endorsing his homophobic messages.
Those posts remain there today.
Netball has often lamented the lack of media coverage the game gets, arguing — correctly — that Australia’s number one sport for women and girls deserves to be front and centre.
But sports coverage is not all match reviews and player profiles.
When it was revealed last year that the St George Illawarra Dragons were considering signing Israel Folau, the club held an extraordinary general meeting and eventually abandoned plans to lure him back to the NRL.
The point is not that the Firebirds should not sign Maria Folau — although the potential for reputational damage, and a backlash from fans and sponsors is huge — but that any comeback is newsworthy.
Is the club worried about losing fans and members due to the decision?
Have they involved sponsors or Netball Australia in discussions about the player?
These and many more questions remain unanswered.
They would be asked of any AFL or NRL club looking to sign a controversial player, or one coming out of retirement.
If netball wants a seat at the big table, it has to front up. There will be controversies, hard discussions and noses out of joint.
As a club in a competition that professes to be the best in the world, the Firebirds need to have world’s best practice - and not just on the court.
They owe their fans more than just silence.
FIREBIRDS ACCUSED OF ‘GASLIGHTING’ FANS OVER FOLAU
Super Netball club Queensland Firebirds have made the extraordinary claim that “adverse media attention” could affect their playing group in relation to the potential signing of Maria Folau.
News Corp broke the story earlier this week that the club was considering signing Folau - wife of controversial rugby star Israel Folau - as a temporary replacement player for Romelda George (nee Aiken) who is pregnant with her first child.
It is the only story that has appeared on the subject, apart from a follow-up with former Australian Diamonds player Sharon Finnan-White appealing to the club to sign rising Indigenous star Donnell Wallam to the spot.
But reaction to the possibility of Folau joining the club has been firm, with hundreds of fans reacting with dismay.
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Many have threatened to withdraw membership or support of the club if Folau is signed, especially if Wallam - who starred at last weekend’s Team Girls Cup and is currently on a temporary training deal - is overlooked in favour of the retired 35-year-old.
The club on Monday said Folau had not signed a contract. However, they have not denied they are in discussions with the 150-Test New Zealand representative.
The latest comments, made in the first of a regular “Coaches Corner” column with mentor Megan Anderson, do not mention Folau by name, with the club still refusing to acknowledge she could come on board.
But just over three weeks out from the start of the season proper, the Firebirds are yet to name a temporary replacement player for George, whose situation has been known inside the club for at least a month.
The fallout now seems to be blamed on the media and fans, who have returned serve, accusing the club of “gaslighting”.
why would you need an ex to gaslight you when you have the firebirds â¤ï¸ https://t.co/W97k25p2NA
— bernie (@berniecfcws) March 1, 2022
I have seen exactly ZERO negative comments about Romelda’s pregnancy.
— Alison (@tudorgrrrl) March 1, 2022
“Replacing an injured player or a player who has departed the club is one thing, replacing a pregnant player brings with it a whole new set of factors that need to be considered,” the column said.
“While the club understands this situation attractions a lot of attention from the media, netball world and general public – a player’s health and wellbeing remain priority.”
Anderson was then quoted, expressing her concern for the playing group.
“No decision when it involves 14 young women and a team of staff, is made lightly and particularly with Romelda there’s the sensitivity of a pregnancy and wanting to make sure Romelda and the baby are healthy,” Anderson said.
“I worry mostly for the players and how the adverse media attention affects them.
“I am very open and honest with the team, I hide nothing and know that if I’m responding to situations while living my values and with the team’s best interests at the core of my decisions, then I can rest easy.
“I’m not alone in this decision, there is constant consultation and interactions with NQ, Firebirds staff and the players.
“Rumours, innuendo and questions on decisions being made aren’t helpful for anyone. It can be stressful, but I try not to read too much into it. It’s the nature of the job I guess.”
Folau is one of the best players of her generation.
However, her endorsement of her husband’s religious and homophobic beliefs makes her a lightning rod for controversy.
Now 35 and having been in retirement for more than two years, Folau’s signing would be extraordinary and the interest in the Firebirds’ decision is understandable.
Anderson does have a tough task replacing George, who has anchored the Firebirds’ attack for the past 14 seasons.
“We have a lot to consider, not least how the replacement will gel with (fellow goalers) Mia (Stower) and Grets (Gretel Tippet) and the midcourt, or how she will fit into the culture,” Anderson said.
“We want to win, but we are also focused on developing Queensland talent, so it’s a big balancing act finding the puzzle piece.”
But in a sign Wallam may not be the player the Firebirds go with, Anderson said experience was crucial.
“With only 10 in each squad, it makes it more difficult to pick someone that is untested, we really need the experience at (Super Netball) level,” she said.
“with 14 games in 12 weeks we need someone who can withstand the physical and mental pressure.”
FOLAU SET FOR SHOCK AUSSIE SPORTING COMEBACK
—Exclusive
Maria Folau could be on the verge of a Super Netball comeback, with the Queensland Firebirds understood to be in discussions with the retired star as cover for club stalwart Romelda George while she is on maternity leave.
Folau, the wife of controversial cross-code football star Israel Folau, who was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 after he posted a meme on social media warning that homosexuals would go to hell unless they repented their sins, retired that same year after a decorated career that included 150 caps for New Zealand’s Silver Ferns.
News Corp was told over a week ago the Firebirds were considering Folau as a replacement for George (nee Aiken), who announced her pregnancy last week, with several sources confirming the claim.
The Firebirds said they had not contracted Folau as a temporary replacement player.
However, chief executive Kate Davies said in a statement the club was considering “several options”.
No player has yet been contracted as a replacement for the remainder of the season, despite the Firebirds having an obvious replacement in training partner Donnell Wallam, who turned in an outstanding showing at the pre-season Team Girls Cup in Melbourne over the weekend.
“There are several options our club has been considering as we continue our pursuit to win the 2022 championship,” Davies said.
“Team Girls Cup gave our high performance team an incredible opportunity to look at some of those options and combinations.
“The club has unearthed exciting talent, both from within the Netball Queensland talent pathways and outside of it.
“As a club we will continue to discuss all options until absolutely confident in our decision.
“Out of professional courtesy and for commercial reasons, we don’t comment on contractual
negations.”
While she is now 35 and a mother, few have doubts that Folau could return to the elite level.
But her signing would be controversial.
The deeply religious Folau stood by her husband during a protracted and divisive legal battle with Rugby Australia and reposted a fundraising campaign for his legal fees to her social media channels during her last Super Netball stint, sparking debate about whether she was endorsing his homophobic messages.
New Zealand netball sponsor ANZ released a statement saying: “we do not support the views of Silver Fern Maria Folau and have made our views known to her employer Netball NZ”, while former Diamonds captain Liz Ellis criticised Netball Australia and the Thunderbirds for their support of Folau’s right to use her social media accounts to promote her husband’s views.
If Folau was signed this season, it would raise questions about whether a contract would come with conditions around her use of social media, or whether the goaler would agree to play in every game considering the Firebirds proudly pioneered a gay pride match, which will be held again this year against Collingwood.
Asked if Netball Australia would register a contract for Folau, chief executive Kelly Ryan said: “In line with the league’s competition rules, teams are responsible for their list management processes”.
“Teams have the ability to contract a permanent replacement player if an athlete is unable to play out the season due to injury, illness or pregnancy,” Ryan said.
If the Firebirds were to sign Folau, or any other player outside their training squad, this season, it would likely end the bid of West Australian goaler Wallam to play a major part in their campaign and become just the second Indigenous athlete in the league.
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Originally published as Super Netball 2022: Emma Greenwood on Queensland Firebirds’ silence over Maria Folau
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