NA hands down verdict on NSW Swifts’ shooter Sam Wallace-Joseph’s divisive social media post

Netball Australia has decided the fate of NSW Swifts’ shooter Sam Wallace-Joseph over a controversial social media post on the eve of Super Netball Season.

NSW Swifts shooter Sam Wallace-Joseph will not be charged by Netball Australia in relation to the controversial social media post that left fans outraged.

Wallace-Joseph, a devout Christian, shared a post of US President Joe Biden acknowledging March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility.

It is an awareness day held on the same day of every year for more than a decade - which this year coincided with Easter Sunday.

The Swifts player shared the post along with the words “The disrespect is crazy. Don’t play with GOD”.

Fans were outraged along with the LGBTIQA+ community.

Sam Wallace-Josephhas issued an apology for her controversial remarks. Picture: Getty Images

Netball Australia confirmed it was investigating the incident but on Friday said following the review the matter would not be pursued under the sport’s Code of Conduct.

The Code, which applies to all Super Netball players and clubs, states participants must not “mix the professional and personal use of social media in ways that could bring NA, the game of netball, an SSN Club or MO into disrepute” or distribute content on social media that contains hate speech or is disruptive in nature.

Netball Australia said it had worked closely with Wallace-Joseph, the NSW Swifts, the Australian Netball Players’ Association and consulted with Sport Integrity Australia and sports inclusion agencies during its review of the incident.

“The Suncorp Super Netball league acknowledges Samantha’s public apology and her full co-operation with the review,” the statement read.

“Netball Australia thanks the relevant bodies for their expert advice and has determined that the appropriate outcome is for Samantha to participate in Proud 2 Play education with NSW Swifts ahead of Inclusion Round, and to work with the League in agreed initiatives and programs as it continues to support inclusion in our game. The matter will not be pursued under the sport’s Code of Conduct.”

She has since made her Instagram account private. Picture: Getty Images

Netball Australia interim CEO Stacey West said the organisation was committed to promotion and providing safe and inclusive environments for all cultures and communities.

“The views expressed in Samantha’s social media post are not supported by Netball Australia and the NSW Swifts. We sought expert advice from relevant bodies and have determined the appropriate outcome is through education, awareness and support,” West said.

“We remain committed to ensuring netball is inclusive and welcoming for everyone, and will continue to work with incredible agencies including Pride in Sport, Proud 2 Play and Sport Integrity Australia who champion and educate inclusion in sport.”

Wallace-Joseph said in an apology earlier this week that it had not been her intention to upset anyone.

“It was not my intention to upset and disrespect anybody and while I feel my post was taken out of context, I didn’t say what I meant clearly,” she said.

“I did not wish to cause any offence to members of the transgender community and it is clear that I have and for that I am sorry.”

NSW Swifts Executive General Manager Kath Tetley said the club was committed to being a safe and inclusive space for all.

The Super Netball season is due to start on April 13.