[ad_1]
Super Netball stars have collectively boycotted the Netball Australia Awards on Saturday night amid the players’ ongoing pay dispute with the governing body.
Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan announced that no Super Netball players were in attendance for the annual event at The Forum Melbourne, where several prestigious awards are handed out including the Liz Ellis Diamond.
Members of the Australian Diamonds squad were present as they were contractually obliged to do so.
READ MORE: Angry letter calls for Marsh ‘ban’ after World Cup act
READ MORE: Aussie’s social media video scandal explodes
READ MORE: Title decided by ‘disappointing’ first lap SVG crash
In a statement, the Australian Netball Players’ Association (ANPA) said players were steering clear of the event following close to eight weeks without income due to the absence of a new collective player agreement.
“Tonight are the Netball Australia Awards and the Diamonds are attending because they are legally obligated to be present,” the statement read.
“With no agreement on our collective player agreement, SSN players have been unpaid for nearly eight weeks.
“We will continue to #FightForFair.
“What we have requested is affordable and sustainable to the game and promotes a genuine partnership to grow the game.”
NSW Swifts and England Roses representative Helen Housby opted not to attend the event, explaining her decision on social media.
“Personally took the decision not to attend tonight’s event after receiving an invitation,” she wrote in an Instagram story on Saturday.
“We as a collective playing group remain strong and supportive of each other despite challenging circumstances.
“We also fully support the Diamonds players who have contractual obligations to be there this evening.”
With the two parties unable to come to an agreement last month, in a stoush which has been bubbling away since February, all players are out of contract with sparse job security and no wage.
In response, the players subsequently handed over their intellectual property rights to the ANPA, meaning the league requires permission to use the players for promotional material ahead of the next Super Netball season.
Netball Australia has since agreed to mediation to reach a compromise.
AUSTRALIAN NETBALL AWARDS
Hall of Fame Legend – Jill McIntosh AM
Hall of Fame – Sue Kenny OAM and Pam Redmond
Joyce Brown Coach of the Year – Stacey Marinkovich (Australian Diamonds)
Lorna McConchie Umpire of the Year – Josh Bowring
Suncorp Super Netball Rookie of the Year – Lucy Austin (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Australian National Championships Player of the Year – Emily Andrew (Victorian Gury)
Fast5 Netball World Series Player of the Series – Matilda Garrett
Liz Ellis Diamond – TBC
International Player of the Year – TBC
Suncorp Super Netball Player of the Year – Shamera Sterling (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year: Goal shooter – Donnell Wallam (Queensland Firebirds, goal attack – Helen Housby (NSW Swift), wing attack – Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts), centre – Jamie-lee Price (GIANTS Netball), wing defence – Latanya Wilson (Adelaide Thunderbirds), goal defence – Latanya Wilson (Adelaide Thunderbirds), goal keeper – Jodi-Ann Ward (Collingwood NMagpies), attack reserve – Steph Wood (Gold Coast Lightning), centre reserve – Liz Watson (Melborne Vixens), defence reserve – Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever)
[ad_2]
