Super Netball Players Agree To 70% Pay Reduction

The Suncorp Super Netball league and the Australian Netball Players’ Association (ANPA) have agreed on a 70 percent, five-week pay reduction for all players to assist the league in managing the impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

As per the terms of the agreement, all Suncorp Super Netball players will take two weeks leave from all club duties from March 30 and then remain at home for three weeks with a 70 percent pay reduction.

This comes after the Super Netball League Commission announced earlier in the week the start of the season was set to be postponed until at least June 30 with a review to take place in late May.

Suncorp Super Netball CEO, Chris Symington, said he appreciates the playing group reaching this agreement and assisting the league and teams during the challenging times.

“These are difficult and unprecedented times, not only in netball, but right across the world,” Symington said.

“In a less than ideal situation, our players have shown maturity and understanding throughout these discussions and we’re pleased to have reached an outcome for the near future.

“The league has put measures in place to ensure that all players have wellbeing support during this time, and, over the next five weeks, we will have further discussions with the ANPA to determine any further changes to conditions that might need to be made,” he said.

ANPA CEO, Kathryn Harby-Williams said the players recognise the impact the COVID-19 is having on lives and economies.

“Our sport is not immune,” Harby-Williams said.

“Over the past few days we have endured some of our most difficult times when faced with the harsh reality of an uncertain future.

“We fully understand we need to play our role to enable netball to get through these bleak times, hence we have agreed to take a pay cut.

“Our game has worked really hard to continue to increase the minimum wage and allow players to be contracted for 12-month periods, but the brutal truth is that our minimum wage is $30,000 per annum and this pay reduction will be severely felt.

“However, we know we are not alone and many others throughout our community are suffering,” she said.

The Super Netball league has also announced a plan to work with its partners to explore potential employment opportunities that may supplement the players’ income during this period as the entire world grips with the economic effects of COVID-19.