The Super Netball season has been shrouded in controversy after players hit out at Netball Australia for its decision to sell this year’s grand final to Perth.
Netball Australia announced that the decider would be played at Perth’s RAC Arena this season due to a partnership with the WA government regardless of which two teams qualify.
However, the players’ association was less than impressed by the “shattering” decision, suggesting that it was blindsided by the call.
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“The players are devastated – both by the decision and the way it has been handled,” the Australian Netball Players’ Association said in a statement on Thursday evening.
“It was extremely disappointing to learn of such a major decision after the fact, and yet again not to have been consulted in the process. But it was even more distressing to then be deliberately misled by Netball Australia about the status of the decision and the nature of their engagement with us.”
The statement also called for a cultural change at Netball Australia.
“Either the behaviours must change, or the people must change,” it read.
“We want to work with a Netball Australia that understands that if they want to grow the game, and they want the players to be valuable partners in that venture, then they need to change the way they engage with us.
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“What Netball Australia does not seem to understand is that one of the best things about playing netball is that the sport attracts and develops strong, smart, independent thinking women. We want Netball Australia to recognise the great talent – on and off the court – that we have in our playing group and be treated with respect and trust.”
In a separate statement, Super Netball’s current ladder-leaders, the Melbourne Vixens, said they were “disappointed” to have lost the opportunity to potentially play in a home grand final.
The Vixens currently sit two wins clear from their nearest rivals in top spot with just two rounds remaining.
Due to the decision to move the grand final to Perth, the date of the season finale has been pushed back by a week to Sunday, July 3, with the move aimed at maximising attendance and “viewership at home”.