Collingwood Magpies ‘haemorrhaging’, on brink of collapse in netball bombshell
The Collingwood Magpies have dropped a bombshell, revealing they are in serious financial distress and on the brink of collapse.
The Collingwood Magpies are in serious danger of becoming the first Super Netball team to fold amid concerning reports the club is under financial distress.
The Magpies are currently bottom of the Super Netball ladder after nine rounds of the season, and their on-court woes have extended to their bottom line.
CODE Sports first reported Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly called a meeting of players and staff on Tuesday to advise a stunned group that there was doubt over whether the club would be able to field a Super Netball team next season.
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Kelly said Collingwood’s netball program was officially “under review” and the future of the team would be determined after working through financial and other issues with Netball Australia in the next seven days.
The meeting reportedly blindsided Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan, who said in a statement:
“Netball Australia has been notified by Collingwood that it is reviewing its Suncorp Super Netball team program.
“We’re working with Collingwood and all stakeholders in relation to this matter.
“Netball Australia is committed to an eight team Suncorp Super Netball competition in 2024.”
Former Magpie Madi Browne told Fox Sports News: “From what I am aware, the girls went to training today just like any other Tuesday.
“There was a meeting called with Craig Kelly. The HR manager and media manager, all the players, coaching staff … he let them know of the news there.
“No one was told prior.
“Everyone was in there and their fate was kind of spoken to them.
“I don’t think it’s a surprise the club has been haemorrhaging financially with the netball program.
“But with five weeks (of the season) to go, why this information now? Where does it leave us?
“There’s a clause for club owners that at any time, for bankruptcy purposes, they can called it quits and terminate players’ contracts – so they can stop paying them immediately.
“(The players’) futures are hanging on literally by a thread.”
Netball Australia said it is committed to an eight-team competition in 2024, which is required under the sport’s broadcast deal with Fox Sports.
News Corp reports Ryan is confident a new consortium could step in to run Collingwood’s netball program, but should the Magpies collapse, there are options for a replacement eight team.
The Victorian Government stumped up $15 million to cover the withdrawal of Gina Rinehart’s support for netball last year, but it’s unclear if it would be able to bail out the Magpies.
Collingwood is enduring a dismal Super Netball season and has been the least successful of the three expansion sides affiliated with football teams that joined the competition in 2017.
The Magpies have made finals in three out of six seasons, but have been knocked out each time in the elimination final.
They have won just two games so far this season and sit on the bottom of the ladder after nine rounds.
The Giants, affiliated with AFL team GWS and supported by Netball NSW, have played in two grand finals and won two minor premierships.
The Sunshine Coast Lightning, a joint venture with NRL’s Melbourne Storm, have won two premierships since joining Super Netball.
Collingwood launched its netball team in 2017 to much fanfare, unveiling a star-studded team featuring the likes of Sharni Norder, Alice Teague-Neeld, Ash Brazill, Madi Browne, Caitlin Thwaites, Kim Ravaillion and April Brandley.
On paper, it was a team brimming with Diamonds and superstars that should have immediately challenged for a premiership.
A major dilemma has emerged this season as Sophie Garbin struggles playing out of position at goal attack behind Jamaican goal shooter Shimona Nelson.
Garbin’s woes have put her spot in the Diamonds’ World Cup squad under serious pressure as Donnell Wallam continues to perform well for the Queensland Firebirds.
It’s become clear the Garbin-Nelson combination isn’t working, and Madi Browne believes the Magpies will have to make a choice between the two this off-season.
The goal shooter position isn’t the only on-court headache facing Collingwood and head coach Nicole Richardson.
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Star wing defence Ash Brazill announced she will retire after this Super Netball season as she chases a fairytale World Cup win for Australia.
Meanwhile, 38-year-old goal defence Geva Mentor is in the twilight of her magnificent career.
Time will tell if the Magpies survive to take the court in 2024.
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