Ex-Firebirds’ Remi Kamo takes to social media with emotional message for Netball Australia

Former Queensland Firebird Remi Kamo was at the centre of a Netball Australia cultural review that came back with no findings. Now she’s released an emotional statement after her ‘calls for help fell on disinterested ears,’ while NA stand firm.

Former Queensland Firebirds defender Remi Kamo has detailed the enormous personal toll of becoming the first Super Netball player to make a complaint to Netball Australia, outlining the tears shed, sleepless nights and battered confidence she endured after alleging an “unsafe environment” at the club before making a formal call for help.

The 31-year-old detailed what she said was “bullying in an unsafe environment” during her time at the Firebirds, while the finding of an independent investigation into her claims that no NA policies were breached, meant her “calls for help fell on disinterested ears”.

Kamo, who was not re-signed by the Firebirds at the end of last season and will turn out for the Northern Stars when New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership starts this weekend, said she decided to “reluctantly make my message public” in the “hope that some transparency will create the accountability the response to my complaint did not”.

Remi Kamo has taken to social media to share her experience at the Firebirds. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Her bombshell statement details the following claims:

* Her anxiety at making a complaint and the fallout that followed.

* Allegations of “victimisation, gaslighting, bullying and techniques designed to humiliate” players at the Firebirds.

* An unsafe cultural environment for players of colour.

* Witnesses to the alleged detailed complaints who were not interviewed during the independent investigation.

* “Platitudes and hollow assurances” from NA after its finding in March that there had been no breach of its policies by her former employer Netball Queensland, owners of the Firebirds Super Netball franchise.

* A “whispering campaign against” her after the complaint was made, alleging she was “vexatious”.

An investigation conducted by NA did not find these claims proven, which Netball Queensland has also denied, with an independent investigator “finding that, based on the evidence considered, the allegations were not substantiated in relation to specific breaches of these codes and policies.”

Kamo said she never wanted to make a complaint, but couldn’t sit back in silence.

“Who wants to be the first person to speak truth to power when that power is being abused?” Kamo asked.

“Who wants to put their sporting career on the line? But it was something that had to be done.

“After all, how many friends and fellow players could I see in distress repeatedly, before standing up?

“How many tears need to be shed? How many sleepless nights to be endured?

“How many anxious phone calls needed to be made to restore each other’s battered confidence?

“How much damage to the wellbeing of people whom we love can be tolerated?

“For how long can we ask our partners and loved ones to also be our counsellors?

“And how much smaller can we allow the bullies to make us?”

But the findings of the investigation and NA’s response since led Kamo to say it was possible to be “simultaneously brave and naive.”

NA’s “non-response” to her and the Australian Netball Players Association’s repeated requests for further details of the investigation, including a breakdown of the response to each allegation, led both to make public statements on Wednesday, calling out the governing body and the investigation process.

ANPA has formally requested an independent review of the investigation into Kamo’s complaint about her former Super Netball club to assess whether the process met the required standards of fairness and rigour.

It has been working behind the scenes with Kamo requesting a review of proceedings, or at least a summary of findings for the player, given allegations key witnesses were not interviewed during the investigation of her complaint.

“I believed all relevant witnesses to my complaint would be interviewed. They were not,” Kamo said.

“Some people who saw and felt what I did, were not even contacted, despite being available to help the investigation.

“I believed fellow players and staff would have the chance to speak in a safe process about the appalling conduct they experienced and observed. People who, to this day, are ready to give evidence.

“I hoped that some real findings relevant to my complaint would be made such that the sport could learn and something good might come of it.

“Turns out no findings of any sort have been made at all.”

ANPA had raised concerns with NA over a number of months regarding aspects of the investigation process, which was conducted by an independent investigator.

“While the investigation was conducted by a third party, this in itself does not guarantee procedural fairness,” ANPA’s statement said.

Kamo says witnesses to her complaint were not interviewed. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

“We believe that key steps expected in a fair and thorough process may have been missed.

“These include the investigator not confirming with Remi the specific allegations that would form the scope of the investigation, and the omission of interviews with some key witnesses named in Remi’s complaint.

“Despite multiple requests, Remi has not been provided with a list of the allegations that were investigated, nor a summary of the findings.

“While we respect Netball Australia’s responsibility to uphold confidentiality for all participants in the investigation, the allegations themselves are known to Remi and we believe it is both possible and appropriate to provide her with a clear summary of the findings without breaching those protections.”

Kamo though, has been left disillusioned by the whole process.

“I genuinely believed the bravery of the players would be met by a fair process. I was very wrong about that,” she said.

“For these reasons I reluctantly express no confidence in Netball Australia’s response to my complaint.”

Kamo’s complaint took place in the midst of the Firebirds’ coaching dramas of 2024. Picture: May Bailey/Getty Images

Netball Australia reaffirmed the Firebirds investigation had been dealt with appropriately and no new information had been brought forward since outcomes were shared with all parties.

“The independent investigation into the Firebirds matter was concluded in February and the findings and outcomes were shared with all parties to the matter,” Netball Australia said in a statement.

“Netball Australia has advised the ANPA that the independent investigation is closed, in line with the NA Integrity Framework.

“Outside of concerns that have already been independently investigated, to date, Netball Australia has not received any further misconduct allegations or claims specific to the experience of Firebirds players.

“Consistent with a speak up culture, should any player (or former player) in any team raise concerns about their experience, Netball Australia will listen and appropriately address them.
“There is an existing hotline for players to report concerns and complaints confidentially, as well as other mechanisms including the NA integrity inbox and through Sports Integrity Australia.

“With respect to the way forward, Netball Australia continues to work with all SSN Clubs to deliver education around bullying, harassment, and cultural and psychological safety, and alongside the ANPA to improve our policy and integrity framework, and how matters are raised and assessed.”

Netball Australia continues to advise that the independent investigation is closed, Chairwoman Liz Ellis (pictured).

NQ referred Code Sports to a statement released last month after Kamo talked about her Firebirds experiences in an interview in New Zealand.

“Netball Queensland and the Queensland Firebirds, in accordance with due process and Netball Australia’s integrity policies, co-operated fully with the independent investigator throughout the matter,” it said.

“Whilst there have been calls for the independent investigators report to be released, Netball Queensland notes that all respondents to the independent investigation were promised confidentiality.

“Further, upholding confidentially is a fundamental principle for people to participate in a process involving the Netball Integrity Policy Framework.

“Netball Queensland and the Queensland Firebirds reject suggestions the organisation is an unsafe workplace as well as labelling the 2024 Firebirds a ‘toxic’ organisation.

“Players, coaches and support staff at the Firebirds are well supported with access to a psychologist and an Athlete and Wellbeing Manager. The organisation encourages any employee with concerns or issues about their working environment to bring those matters to attention and are supported to do this through a range of guidelines, policies and frameworks.

“We take seriously our position as custodians of netball in Queensland and embrace our responsibility to promote inclusion, gender equality and diversity.

“Netball Queensland and Queensland Firebirds staff and athletes will make no further comments on these matters.”

Originally published as Ex-Firebirds’ Remi Kamo takes to social media with emotional message for Netball Australia