Australian Netball Players’ Association Signs One-Year Collective Player Agreement to Secure 2027 Season

The Australian Netball Players’ Association has reached agreement with Netball Australia and Super Netball teams on a new one-year Collective Player Agreement.

Requested by Netball Australia to allow the organisation to focus on growing revenue, the short-term deal prompted players to adopt a pragmatic approach and vote unanimously in favour.

Beyond securing operational certainty for the 2027 season, the agreement establishes a formal commitment from the governing body and clubs to design a true revenue-sharing model and upgrade the pregnancy and parenting policy over the next twelve months.

The new agreement introduces financial and welfare improvements, including a four per cent increase to the player salary cap, a twenty-five per cent boost to the minimum salary to align with Australia’s National Minimum Wage, a twenty-five per cent increase to the eleventh player salary, and a four per cent rise in the Training Partner honorarium.

Reflecting on the outcome, Australian Netball Players’ Association director, Tara Hinchliffe, emphasised the players’ dedication to supporting their lowest-paid teammates.

“The improvements in the latest CPA are important for the players and the game.”

“We were asked to sign a one-year deal and defer our plans for a new revenue share model this time around, and we’ve done that.

“NA and the Teams have responded with improvements in conditions and wages which we welcome.

“We’re incredibly proud of how the playing group have united and represented one another throughout the process.

“But the hard work really begins now because the next CPA has to deliver a modern revenue share model to grow the game for everyone,” Hinchliffe said.

Australian Netball Players’ Association chair, Helen Lonsdale, noted the constructive progress while urging proactive future timelines.

“We’re pleased with the improvements Australian Netball Players’ Association has delivered for the players, who continue to be outstanding role models for the millions of netball participants and fans in Australia.”

“It’s important that the next round of discussions starts earlier so a new CPA can be agreed without pushing the players and the game so close to the deadline again.

“A lot of good work has been done and we look forward to working together again on the next agreement,” Lonsdale stated. 

Australian Netball Players’ Association CEO, Kathryn Harby-Williams AM, stressed that future agreements must properly reflect athlete value.

“While this CPA provides certainty for 2027, our attention now turns to the next negotiation.”

“The next CPA provides the opportunity for the game to recognise players through a genuine revenue-sharing model, a long-term agreement and remuneration that better reflects the value players create for the sport.

“The players have done the right thing by the sport throughout these negotiations. It will be important the sport reciprocates next time.”

Additionally, players receive two extra weeks of time off, a daily meal allowance of seventy-five dollars, a 4.96 per cent increase in private health insurance contributions, improved commercial arrangements, a conditional one-off payment, and contracts extending up to 2031.

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