Hancock dumps Diamonds after netball team’s logo dispute

Netball left reeling as Gina Rinehart rips up $15m sponsorship deal, condemning players over their stance on Indigenous history.

Australian Diamonds netballers Lizzy Watson, Jo Weston and Kate Moloney with their uniforms featuring the Hancock Prospecting logo. Picture: instagram

Australian netball is reeling after Hancock Prospecting walked away from a $15m sponsorship because of a dispute with the Diamonds team.

Members of the national side refused to wear the new sponsors’ logo in the series against England after objections from Indigenous player Donnell Wallam, citing discomfort over the company’s record on Indigenous issues.

It is a major blow to the cash-strapped side and does not stop with the national team.

The Australian understands that Hancock has pulled its sponsorship of Netball Western Australia and the West Coast Fever team.

The issue came to a head last week during the New Zealand series and could not be resolved despite a meeting between senior players and representatives of the mining company, whose executive chairman is billionaire Gina Rinehart.

Her father, the late Lang Hancock, founder of Hancock Prospecting, infamously suggested in 1984 that Indigenous Australians should be sterilised to “breed themselves out” in coming years.

Wallam, a proud Noongar woman and only the third First Nations Diamond to make her debut, was prepared to conduct a solo boycott but the team decided it would stand with the player and announced a group boycott.

Hancock Prospecting on Saturday released a statement condemning the players’ stance and said it had not been informed of troubles between the players and Netball Australia before agreeing to the sponsorship deal.

“Hancock’ s proposed sponsorship would have enabled a generous increase in wages for the players, which would not have otherwise been possible given netballs financial situation,” the company said.

“Contrary to recent media, Hancock has not insisted that its name be worn by the Australian Diamonds in the current Constellation Cup series when overseas and was advised that the netballers had no concerns in wearing the name on the team dress for the series.

“Further Hancock does not support gambling or smoking.

“Hancock and Roy Hill do not want to add to netball’s disunity problems and accordingly Hancock has advised Netball Australia that it had withdrawn from its proposed partnership effective immediately.

“Roy Hill, majority owned by Hancock, will also be discontinuing its sponsorship arrangement with Netball WA, a member organisation of Netball Australia, to be the principal partner of West Coast Fever.”

Hancock said it would offer a four-month sponsorship should the organisations agree to help bridge the gap left by its withdrawal.

The statement said Ms Rinehart had “unwavering enthusiasm” for the athletes over three decades.

Hancock Prospecting executive chairman Gina Rinehart.

Hancock launched a passionate defence of its mining, its sports sponsorship and condemned the move for athletes and the sport.

“As is evidenced by the other successful sporting partnerships undertaken by Hancock, including the Australian Olympic Committee, Volleyball Australia, Artistic Swimming Australia, Rowing Australia and elite swimmers at both the national and state level, there is overwhelming support for Hancock’s athlete focused funding, enabling training to be prioritised and performances to be enhanced on the global stage – as was proven through the record breaking efforts at recent Olympic and Commonwealth Games. Such assistance Hancock, and more recently Roy Hill, are pleased to provide in order to help young Australians shine on the world stage, and proudly represent our country to the best of their ability,” it said.

Players respond

In a statement, Diamonds players said they were disappointed to learn that Hancock Prospecting had withdrawn its sponsorship offer.

“As Netball Australia has emphasised, these funds go towards the Diamonds high performance and undperpinning programs, something that is of critical importance to us all,” the statement said.

“Reports of a protest on part of the players, on environmental grounds and a split within the playing group are incorrect. The singular issue of conern to the players was one of support for our only Indigenous team member.

“We are fully committed to the Diamonds’ Sisters in Arms legacy and the values this represents, alongside the Australian Netball’s Declaration of Commitment.

“The players acknowledge that the support of our commercial partners is critical to the financial sustainability of the sport. We are incredibly grateful to our existing sponsors for their ongoing backing of netball at all levels.”

Netball bosses disappointed

Netball Australia Wendy Archer said while the decision was a disappointing outcome for the sport or “understood” the miner’s position.

“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,” Mrs 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.”

Netball NSW President Wendy Archer, right. Picture: Narelle Spangher

Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan said the sport would look for new sponsors.

“Hancock Prospecting’s investment recognised the value and contribution of our national team and their role as the world’s number one netball team. We acknowledge the difficulties and impact of recent discussions and are disappointed to see them withdraw the partnership. 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.

“Netball Australia is a strong, resilient organisation and we will continue working around the clock to secure the future of the sport and explore all opportunities that are available.”

Company defends its Indigenous record

“The facts are that mining and resources companies provide billions of dollars to the Australian economy, billions in taxation to help pay for defence, police, hospitals, emergency services and more, bring opportunities to remote areas and provide many well paid jobs. To be able to operate, the industry must also make, and follow through on comprehensive compliance enforced by regulation related to the management of the environment, native title, and cultural heritage. Hancock (and Roy Hill since its inception) continues to meet all government requirements in this regard and has done so for decades.

In addition to jobs, royalties and taxes that support communities all over Australia, many individual sports choose to partner, and welcome mining and resource company sponsorships – including hockey, athletics, rugby league, rugby, and Australian rules football to name a few.”

The mining company defended its record on Indigenous issues.

“Initiatives that promote the health and wellbeing of indigenous Australians, fund services in remote and rural communities, encourage participation in education and art, are funded by Hancock and Roy Hill, and many other industry participants. Mining is making a real difference to the people where we operate with Hancock and Roy Hill having contributed well in excess of $300M to indigenous Australians in the form of royalty payments over the past seven years alone. Royalty payments represent only one part of our contribution to indigenous Australians, with our wider engagement extending to providing jobs, training, business opportunities and supporting a wide range of health and cultural programs, which make a real difference.

“Mining is critical to securing the minerals essential for everyday life. An often conveniently neglected truth when activists talk emotively about mining is that most, if not all, of the primary products required for the equipment, production, distribution and delivery of renewable energy depend on resources that need to be mined. To quote Australia’s Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia, Hon Madeleine King MP “No mining, no net zero”.

“We wish Netball Australia, the Australian Diamonds, Netball WA and the West Coast Fever every success moving forward.”

Social, political causes have no place in sport: Rinehart

Hancock and Mrs Rinehart slammed the move toward more socially conscious sponsorship arrangements in sport.

“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 focussed 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,” it said.

Gina Rinehart in the Emirates marquee at the 2016 Emirates Melbourne Cup. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

“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. 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.”