Netball New Zealand stands by Maria Folau, sponsor raises concerns

Netball New Zealand has released a statement on Israel Folau’s wife Maria after a major sponsor publicly raised their concerns.

Netball New Zealand is standing beside Maria Folau as controversy surrounds her support of husband Israel, and her religious views.

In a statement, Netball NZ stood by their player and said: “Maria Folau has not breached NNZ policy.

“Netball New Zealand values inclusion and diversity across all areas of the community and our sport whether its gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexuality, religion, and we take responsibility as role models for young New Zealanders very seriously.

“We acknowledge that people have differing views and beliefs. It is important those opinions and views are expressed in constructive and respectful ways.”

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One of Netball New Zealand’s major sponsors, ANZ, has raised concerns about Folau’s support for her husband.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds star, like her husband is deeply religious, and reposted Israel’s Instagram post, where he asked for people to donate up to $3 million to help him fund his legal battle against Rugby Australia.

A spokesman for ANZ, the naming rights sponsor of the domestic premiership, released a statement that the company does not support Maria’s views, but will continue its support for the game more generally.

“We do not support the views of Silver Fern Maria Folau and have made our views known to her employer Netball NZ,” ANZ media manager Stefan Herrick said in a statement.

The Folaus.

Netball Australia and South Australia both issued statements on the future of Maria Folau Sunday, given her support of husband Israel, and her religious views.

They drew the ire of one of Australia’s greatest ever players in Liz Elliswho slammed the diplomatic statements of both governing bodies as “not good enough”.

“How about this: There is no room for homophobia in our game,” Ellis tweeted. “Anyone who is seen to support or endorse homophobia is not welcome. As much as I love watching @MariaFolau play netball I do not want my sport endorsing the views of her husband.”

Maria will return to Auckland this week for the Silver Ferns as they begin preparations for the upcoming Netball World Cup taking place in Liverpool in July.

As the tournament draws closer, the questions surrounding Maria will only increase and the pressure on the organisation will multiply.

This article was originally published by the NZ Herald and reproduced with permission