War of words between Netball Australia and Players Association heats up

The Australian Netball Players’ Association has finally broken its silence over the Diamonds selection saga, disputing claims from Netball Australia. SEE THE FULL STATEMENT

The Australian Netball Players’ Association has finally broken its silence over the Diamonds selection saga, fiercely disputing Netball Australia’s claims about the ongoing pay war.

ANPA had remained quiet since the news broke, earlier this week, that Netball Australia would not be naming the 15-woman squad bound for the World Cup next month until Collective Player Agreement was signed.

Netball Australia said it was a requirement for players to “agree to terms and conditions of the playing contract” and was part of the selection criteria available publicly on its website.

The sporting body disputed claims the union or players were blindsided by the decision with NA sources saying both had reminded about the requirement more than a week ago.

These claims are disputed by ANPA who released a statement following a meeting on Wednesday night.

“ANPA advises that suggestions we were aware of this proposed escalation by NA are false,” the statement read.

Jo Weston is the president of the Australian Netball Players’ Association. Picture: Getty Images

“As is the suggestion that negotiations have been taking place for 12 months. The negotiations have only been active for a matter of weeks.”

The statement said players had reached out to ANPA “expressing confusion, sadness and anger”.

Following the meeting players agreed unanimously to invite Netball Australia to decouple the national selection from industrial negotiations and “in the name of the wellbeing of all players to advise who has been selected in the Diamonds 2023 World Cup squad”.

The statement in full:

The Australian Netball Players’ Association can confirm reports Netball Australia has advised players they would not be notified of World Cup selection or otherwise until current player/administrator industrial negotiations were resolved.

Players have reached out to the ANPA expressing confusion, sadness and anger.

In response the ANPA called a meeting of players to discuss this escalation by NA.

The meeting took place at 5pm (Wednesday). The players agreed unanimously to: invite NA to decouple national selection from industrial negotiations and in the name of the wellbeing of all players to advise who has been selected in the Diamonds 2023 World Cup squad

The players make these requests:

To preserve the sanctity of the Australian uniform, to support the wellbeing of players and in support of good faith and not bad faith negotiation

ANPA also advises that suggestions we were aware of this proposed escalation by NA are false.

As is the suggestion that negotiations have been taking place for 12 months. The negotiations have only been active for a matter of weeks.

ANPA commits to good faith negotiation and regards this escalation as contrary to that principle.

Originally published as War of words between Netball Australia and Players Association heats up