Former VNL goal shooter Naomi Henry sues Netball Australia over on-court injury

The former VNL player is suing Netball Australia after her knee was fractured during a game, alleging umpires failed to caution her opponents for their “unsafe and dangerous” conduct.

Naomi Henry claims her right knee was fractured during a fiery division one clash against league rivals Cheltenham Football Netball Club nearly two years ago. Picture: Netball Victoria

A former Victorian Netball League goal shooter is suing Netball Australia and the Southern Football Netball League alleging she was injured on-court following a “forceful, late and deliberate” contact.

Naomi Henry, 35, claims her right knee was fractured during a fiery division one clash against league rivals Cheltenham Football Netball Club nearly two years ago.

Ms Henry, who represented the Caulfield Bears Football Netball Club, has filed legal action against the SFNL and Netball Australia this month, alleging umpires failed to caution Cheltenham players for their “unsafe and dangerous conduct” during the game.

Ms Henry, now a full-time primary school teacher, once played in the state’s top netball competition alongside future Suncorp Super Netball players and other top Victorian talent.

In 2019 she represented the VNL Boroondara Express in their division one side, helping the team make a grand final after they only managed three wins the year prior.

Naomi Henry (pictured centre) is suing Netball Australia and the Southern Football Netball League over an alleged injury she sustained in against a league rival. Picture: Instagram

Ms Henry would later transition to the SFNL – a competitive local league that has attracted former VNL players – where she played several seasons with the Caulfield Bears.

In documents filed in the County Court of Victoria, Ms Henry claims Cheltenham players started targeting Caufield players in the first quarter of a game early in the 2023 season.

“Throughout the course of the game, there was a continuous display of rough, unsafe and

dangerous conduct perpetrated by the Cheltenham players towards the Caulfield players,” a statement of claim reads.

“Despite numerous instances in which Caulfield players were subjected to unsafe and

forceful contact by Cheltenham players, the umpiring officials neglected to caution and/or

reprimand the perpetrators and allowed for the continuation of the unsafe conduct.”

Early in the second quarter, Ms Henry alleges she was contacted from behind – in what she perceived as a “forceful, late and deliberate” move – by an unnamed Cheltenham player.

She claims the contact knocked her to the ground, causing her to injure her right knee.

In particulars before the court, Ms Henry specially called out the SFNL for failing to ensure the umpires were able to take control of the game.

Naomi Henry alleges umpires failed to caution the opposition players for their “unsafe and dangerous” conduct. Picture: Instagram

A source, who will not be identified to protect their identity, told the Herald Sun they remembered Ms Henry falling to the ground and hobbling on crutches following the game.

They were not aware of any escalating tensions on-court during the game and figured her injury was the result of a nasty fall, not a deliberate contact.

It is understood the Cheltenham Football Netball Club and the Caulfield Bears Football Netball Club were competitive rivals at the time, but there was seemingly no bad blood between players.

Cheltenham would go on to win the grand final that year, despite losing in the first round of the finals by one point.

Ms Henry declined to answer questions posed by the Herald Sun regarding the incident and her legal matter.

The Cheltenham Football Netball Club, the Caulfield Bears Football Netball Club and the SFNL also declined to comment.

Netball Australia and Netball Victoria were contacted for comment.