Super Netball clubs forced to delay pre-season start due to ongoing pay dispute

As Netball Australia and the Australian Netball Players Association head into mediation over a new collective agreement, clubs have been forced to push back the start to the pre-season.

Super Netball’s lingering pay issues are now officially affecting the 2024 season, with clubs having to postpone their return to training due to the bargaining impasse.

At least two clubs were scheduled to begin pre-season training this week, but with negotiations between Netball Australia (NA) and the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA) still unresolved, all athletes remain in contract limbo.

Every player in the competition came off contract at midnight on September 30 and athletes are now heading into a second month officially unemployed and unpaid, with NA and ANPA set to head to mediation over the Collective Player Agreement (CPA).

Firebirds head coach Bec Bulley is among the Super Netball mentors who have been unable to start pre-season with their teams this week due to the pay impasse. Photo: Getty Images

Code Sports understands most clubs have now signed Team Participation Agreements (TPA's) and while this element – which needs to be finalised before players can be officially contracted to Super Netball clubs – is not yet finalised, it’s closer than the CPA, which still requires a mediator to be appointed before NA and ANPA can get to the table to resolve their differences.

The now months-long standoff is frustrating every club and coach in the competition.

Speaking at a “Fifth Quarter” breakfast function in Brisbane on Friday, at which Netball Queensland celebrated its legends of the game, Firebirds coach Bec Bulley spoke of her frustration at the delay.

“To be honest, it’s getting to a point that it’s really difficult,” Bulley said.

“We were meant to be starting pre-season this week, which is a little bit upsetting to think that we actually can’t start together as a team.

“But I’m really hopeful that it will get resolved soon. I believe that Netball Australia and ANPA are going to go through some mediation and hopefully that will allow the situation to be resolved for both parties and that we can move forward.”

Firebirds coach Rebecca Bulley believes the club is building a strong squad for 2024 but cannot yet get on court with her group, who remain uncontracted due to the CPA standoff. Photo: Getty Images

Former Firebirds captain and coach Vicki Wilson, who was also at the event, has joined a chorus of high-profile voices in the game speaking of the need to get a deal done.

“It needs mediation – and I think everyone’s to that point,” Wilson said.

“I’m not privy to discussions, I sit outside and I’m not involved with any team or the Australian players association but it’s got to that point where mediation’s needed and mediation was needed, I suspect, a long, long time ago, so we don’t get to this point where teams can’t announce who’s in it and we can’t start training.”

Wilson, who was involved in Super Netball as recently as 2022, on the Sunshine Coast Lightning coaching staff, does not begrudge players making a living.

But it’s a far cry from her day. Wilson earnt 104 caps for Australia over a 15-year career but didn’t earn a cent playing for the state or national team, or the inaugural Firebirds side.

“I retired for Australia and Netball Australia gave me breadmaker, I didn’t get any money,” Wilson said.

“I retired at the same time as (former Australian cricket captain) Mark Taylor – work out what he got.

“We didn’t get paid to play for Australia, didn’t get paid to play for Queensland.”

Former Firebirds coach and player Vicki Wilson agrees NA and ANPA need to head to mediation to sort collective bargaining talks out.

Wilson was featured at Friday’s breakfast though, with Netball Queensland moving to officially strengthen its relationship with its past state and Firebirds national league players, something the organisation is so committed to it is a key plank of its strategic plan.

“It’s important to go back and celebrate the history of the game. Our game started long before the Firebirds started, so we have many, many talented women who have paved the way before the Firebirds concept – those of us who played for Queensland through the 60s and 70s, they were still the no. 1 team in Queensland, Wilson said.

“I think it’s important to connect with the past. And then the new generation have a greater appreciation of what went on beforehand and the legacy that was left, so they truly have a good grip on what legacy looks like – the fun times and the great memories that you share with your teammates.”

Several members of the Firebirds’ 2023 squad were also at the function as guests, given their uncontracted status, while another former Birdie and rumoured 2024 signing Tippah Dwan, was also present.

Bulley, a former Firebirds player herself, said recognising those that had come before was an important part of creating the type of culture she wants to drive the club forward.

“You’ve absolutely got to acknowledge those that have come before us and paved the way,” Bulley said.

Former Firebird Tippah Dwan was at Friday’s breakfast to honour ex Queensland players, doing little to quell rumours she could again link with the club in 2024. Photo: Getty Images

“We would love to have everyone back involved and taking real interest in the club because they still have so much to give.

“And then when you pull on that dress, you know the history and the people that have come before and how special it is.”

The Firebirds finished seventh last year in Bulley’s first season as head coach, driving from the bottom of the ladder in a strong second half of the season.

And Bulley is confident the club is assembling a group that will be competitive in 2024 and beyond.

“I recognise that it was my first year as the head coach and yes, there were some really tough times and some hard decisions had to be made,” Bulley said.

“But it was all about creating a great culture that is going to make this club successful into the future and that’s really what you’ve got to build on – that culture must come first and then when you get that culture right, success will come.

“There were a lot of learnings from that first year and I really feel like we’ve taken those learnings and developed a great program that we’re going to keep building and it’s about getting great people in this club that really want to buy in.

“It’s not just about the players, it’s about the staff – get the ones that are so passionate about this club as well and really want to see it succeed and I’m really confident that we do have the right people for that to happen.”

Originally published as Super Netball clubs forced to delay pre-season start due to ongoing pay dispute