Netball set for $5 million dollar boost with HCF to renew, upgrade sponsorships

Netball Australia has landed another huge cash injection for in a major boost for the financially-stricken sport and its major competition Super Netball.

Netball Australia and its flagship Super Netball competition have received a multimillion dollar boost on the eve of the new season, with health fund HCF set to announce a suite of sponsorships.

In deals believed to be around $5 million over three years, Australia’s largest not for profit health fund will announce on Friday it has renewed its commitment as a major partner of Netball Australia and Super Netball until at least 2025.

HCF will also extend its contract at principal partner of the Giants for another three years and come on board as principal partner of the Vixens until 2025, in a new deal.

The organisation also retains partnerships with the Queensland Firebirds, Sunshine Coast Lightning, NSW Swifts, Adelaide Thunderbirds and West Coast Fever as well as state and territory associations.

Stars at the launch of the new Super Netball season. Picture: Jason Edwards

The deals are a major filip for the financially stricken Netball Australia.

While they represent a rollover and reported upgrade of a four-year, all-of-game national partnership that saw the health fund provide support from grassroots to elite level, negotiations have been protracted and tense, with the suggestion at one point that the partnership may not continue.

But netball’s position as the no. 1 sport in for women and allows HCF to reach a huge audience and the athletes are seen as cleanskins who will not bring the brand into disrepute.

HCF Chief Executive Officer Sheena Jack said the partnership firmly aligned with the fund’s mission to improve the health and wellness of all Australians, particularly young females.

“As Australia’s largest not for profit health fund, we’re proud to support the dynamic and continued growth of women’s sports,” Jack said.

Growth will be key for netball as it attempts to maintain its position as a tier one sport.

But it cannot do that without the injection from corporates, given last year’s revelations of a cash crisis following losses of more than $7 million over the previous two Covid-hit seasons and $4 million in debt.

Despite last year’s high-profile breakdown of a proposed $15 million sponsorship from Hancock Prospecting, the sport has been notching wins in the boardroom, with Visit Victoria – the Victorian Government’s events arm – stepping in with a $15 deal that kicked in at the start of this year, Origin confirming it would continue as Diamonds major sponsor and Flight Centre last month signing a deal with Netball Australia.

Netball Australia boss Kelly Ryan.

Netball Australia boss Kelly Ryan welcomed HCF’s continued support.

“Netball Australia is delighted to continue its partnership with HCF for a further three years,” Ryan said.

Ryan has been clear paying down debt is the organisation’s top mission as it bids to futureproof the sport.

HCF’s continued commitment from the grassroots to the elite is arguably worth more than the sum of its parts though.

“The partnership was forged with a common goal to empower Australians of all ages to lead active and healthy lives,” Ryan said.

Jack said research commissioned by HCF had found that only 27 per cent of Australian women and girls intended on playing teams sports, compared with 41 per cent of men.

“This research shows that female participation is still lagging, and we need to work together with bodies like Netball Australia to shift the dial,” Jack said.

“Working with Netball Australia means we can help to motivate and empower young girls and women to lead healthier lives and stay active and engaged in sport.

“These partnerships aren’t just about backing the sport financially but about working with the players and their communities to drive awareness of and support for the health issues that are really important to women.”

Originally published as Netball set for $5 million dollar boost with HCF to renew, upgrade sponsorships