Hancock Prospecting pulls $15m netball sponsorship

Hancock Prospecting has withdrawn its $15 million sponsorship deal with Netball Australia just a day out from the Diamonds’ Constellation Cup decider against the Silver Ferns, saying it did not wish to add to the sport’s “disunity problems”.

It comes after Diamonds players said they did not want to wear uniforms featuring the logo of the mining company owned by Gina Rinehart in their upcoming games against England due to concerns raised by squad member Donnell Wallam relating to their sponsor’s record on Indigenous issues. Wallam is set to make her international debut in the England series beginning on Wednesday, October 26.

Liz Watson (left) and Gina Rinehart.Credit: Scott McNaughton, Getty

A source close to the Diamonds said the players had come to an agreement with Netball Australia that they would wear the uniform with the Hancock logo for the Constellation Cup against New Zealand, but not for their games against England.

The source said the Diamonds had not asked to be provided with uniforms without the Hancock logo for their games against New Zealand.

It’s understood the Diamonds’ agreement with Netball Australia also included a commitment to sit down with Hancock and the First Nations advisory committee to work through the issue after the window of upcoming international games.

The Diamonds’ stance, which was closely followed by reports Pat Cummins had raised objections over Cricket Australia’s deal with energy giant Alinta, sparked debate over athletes’ rights to pick and choose their sponsors.

Under the deal, Hancock Prospecting would have provided $15m in sponsorship over four years to the sport’s governing body, which recently announced $7m in losses over the past two years.

Netball Australia said the issue of the logo on team uniforms was to have been resolved at the end of the Constellation Cup series but on Saturday, Hancock Prospecting released a statement announcing their withdrawal from the proposed sponsorship deal.

“Hancock and Roy Hill do not wish to add to Netball’s disunity problems, and accordingly Hancock has advised Netball Australia that it has withdrawn from its proposed partnership effective immediately,” the statement read.

While the initial deal has been withdrawn, Hancock have offered a four-month sponsorship to Netball Australia and Netball WA, if their players wish to accept it, while the governing body arranges alternative funding.

Netball Australia chair Wendy Archer said Hancock’s withdrawal was disappointing but that the association understood their decision.

“We are grateful that Hancock Prospecting continued to stand by our sport throughout the recent turbulence and we regret the impact this has had on the company,” Archer said.

“This has been a challenging period for all involved and while every effort has been made from all parties to resolve the issues surrounding the sensitivities of the partnership, unfortunately we have not been able to achieve a mutually satisfactory outcome.”

A subsequent statement from Hancock laid bare Rinehart’s disapproval of sports organisations’ engagement in social or political causes.

“Hancock and its Executive Chairman Mrs Rinehart, consider that it is unnecessary for sports organisations to be used as a vehicle for social or political causes,” the statement read. “There are more targeted and genuine ways to progress social or political causes without virtue signalling or for self-publicity.

‘There are more targeted and genuine ways to progress social or political causes without virtue signalling.’

Hancock Prospecting

“The reality is that sponsorship is integral to sports organisations - for full time professionals right through to the grassroots level. Hancock has, and always will, ensure its sponsorship is spent on and for the athletes.

The mining company also rejected reports that it required the Diamonds to wear its logo during the Constellation Cup series when playing overseas.

“Hancock would only ever want athletes to wear the Hancock logo if athletes are proud to do so,” it said.

Tensions between the governing body and the Australian Netball Players Association were another factor in Hancock’s decision, according to their first statement.

“Hancock and Roy Hill were not made aware prior to the proposed partnerships, of the complexity of existing issues between Netball Australia and the Players Association,” the statement read. “This includes the Players’ Association’s endeavours to gain a very substantial increase in wages during a time the sport is reeling financially, and unable to provide such an increase.”

Netball Australia chief executive Kelly Ryan said Hancock’s decision to withdraw from the initial sponsorship was disappointing.

“We acknowledge the difficulties and impact of recent discussions and are disappointed to see them withdraw the partnership,” she said. “This is a loss for our whole sport, from grassroots through to the elite program.”

In a statement released on Saturday evening, the Diamonds affirmed their solidarity throughout the process. “Reports of a protest on the part of the players, on environmental grounds and a split within the playing group are incorrect,” the statement read.

“The players acknowledge that the support of our commercial partners is critical to the financial sustainability of the sport. The singular issue of concern to the players was one of support for our only Indigenous team member.”

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