Hancock Prospecting slams ‘virtue signalling’ after tearing up $15 million netball sponsorship

Billionaire Gina Rinehart has issued a blistering statement after sensationally tearing up a $15 million netball deal.

Supplied image of Gina Rinehart for future olympics spread

Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting has issued a blistering statement slamming “virtue signalling” by sports teams after sensationally tearing up its $15 million netball deal.

The mining giant announced on Saturday that it had decided to “regrettably withdraw” its proposed partnerships with Netball Australia and Netball WA, after revelations last weekend that Diamonds players had concerns about wearing a team uniform that included sponsorship branding from Ms Rinehart’s company.

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Indigenous player Donnell Wallam, who is line to make her Diamonds debut in the upcoming series against England, was said to be uncomfortable wearing a uniform with the Hancock Prospecting logo, reportedly due to comments made by Ms Rinehart’s father Lang Hancock in the 1980s.

He infamously suggested in 1984 that Indigenous Australians should be sterilised to “breed themselves out” in coming years.

After a week of controversy, Hancock Prospecting finally pulled the plug, saying in a statement on Saturday that it had “not been made aware” of the issues between Netball Australia and the Players Association and did “not wish to add to Netball’s disunity problems”.

Hancock Prospecting has pulled its funding to Netball Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

In a subsequent statement, the mining giant stuck the boot in further, saying “Hancock and its executive chairman Mrs Rinehart consider that it is unnecessary for sports organisations to be used as the vehicle for social or political causes”.

“Firstly, because sport is at its best when it is focused on good and fair competition, with dedicated athletes striving for excellence to achieve their sporting dreams and to represent our country at their very best,” the statement said.

“Secondly, because there are more targeted and genuine ways to progress social or political causes without virtue signalling or for self-publicity. For example, the meaningful engagement with local Indigenous communities undertaken by Hancock’s Roy Hill Community Foundation in West Australia to support their actual needs.

“Thirdly, because there are more impactful means to make a beneficial difference. For example, Hancock’s holistic support for real programs including Hanrine Futures — that are providing a true pathway for Indigenous students through education and into employment where they are guaranteed a job should they wish, at the end of their training.

“The reality is that sponsorship is integral to sports organisations -- for full-time professionals right through to young children at the grassroots level — who rely on corporations investing the funds that enable all sports to not only survive, but thrive.

Gina Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting took aim at ‘virtue signalling.

“Sadly, recent media does not help encourage sporting sponsorships. What can be lacking is a sufficient connection between sponsorship funds and the athletes themselves, with money unnecessarily wasted on administration and related costs. Which is why Hancock has, and will continue to insist, that the funds it provides to any sports it sponsors are spent on and for the athletes.

“Neither Hancock nor Mrs Rinehart have ever requested or insisted that athletes provide any thank you videos or messages -- although thank you videos and messages have certainly been received. Hancock and Mrs Rinehart would only ever want athletes to wear the Hancock logo if the athletes were proud to do so.

“Recent media misreporting has been disappointing, particularly given at no stage did Hancock insist its logo be worn on the Australian Diamonds‘ playing dress for the recent games in New Zealand, nor did the Australian Diamonds refuse to wear the Hancock logo.”

Some in the Indigenous community had previously defended Ms Rinehart, saying she did a large amount of charitable work and that she should not be judged because of what her father said.

Clinton Wolf, managing director of the National Indigenous Times, wrote in an op-ed on Monday that the negativity towards the Netball Australia sponsorship was “hypocritical”.

“While others have criticised her from the sidelines, she does deeds with a good heart,” he said. “Actions always speak louder than words.”

The players were also accused of biting the hand that feeds them by torpedoing a much-needed financial lifeline for the sport.

The sponsorship controversy has overshadowed the Constellation Cup. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

The $15 million commercial agreement would have been a lifeline for the governing body, which had lost more than $7 million over the past two years, mostly due to costs associated with Super Netball.

As Hancock noted on Saturday, its proposed sponsorship “would have enabled a generous increase in wages for the players which would not have otherwise been possible given Netball’s financial situation”.

Netball Australia said it was “disappointed” in Hancock‘s decision to pull the sponsorship.

“We acknowledge the difficulties and impact of recent discussions and are disappointed to see them withdraw the partnership,” Netball Australia boss Kelly Ryan said in a statement on Saturday.

“This is a loss for our whole sport, from grassroots through to the elite program. Sadly, this is evident today with the decision to also withdraw financial support for Netball WA and the West Coast Fever.”

Ms Kelly said she would work “around the clock” to find away out of the financial mire.

Diamonds’ players also released a statement on Saturday denying a “split” over the issue. “Reports of a protest on the part of the players on environmental grounds and a split within the playing group are incorrect,” the statement said.

The Diamonds didn’t wear the Hancock logo. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

“The singular issue of concern to the players was one of support for our only Indigenous team member. We are fully committed to the Diamonds’ Sister in Arms legacy and the values this represents, alongside Australian Netball’s Declaration of Commitment.”

The Declaration of Commitment, signed in 2020, involved a coalition of netball organisations vowing to do more to break down the barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.

The Diamonds are yet to wear a uniform with the Hancock logo on it — and it now appears that they never will.

Netball Australia recently turned down a bid from a private equity company that offered a multimillion deal. Netball Australia instead signed its deal with Hancock.

The sporting body had been criticised for a lack of consultation with players about the deal with Hancock and there was frustration Wallam was unfairly burdened by the situation.