They will also receive an immediate 11 per cent pay rise over three years,back paid to October 1. An 11th player will also be introduced to each of the eight Super Netball teams.
Most notably,the sport and netballers have entered into a revenue share model partnership,which means they will receive 20 per cent of sponsorship above forecast revenue.
Weston,who weeks ago wasspeaking through tears as she detailed the impact of the pay war,was visibly excited about the Super Netball contract that would soon arrive in her inbox.
“The immediate relief is probably palpable[among the players] … It has been a really long and challenging process,especially in the current cost of living crisis and really edging closer to Christmas,” she said.
‘Let’s do this’:How the deal got done
After months of negotiations it was the revenue share model that had been the sticking point.
Netball Australia was previously adamant the sport could not afford a revenue share model,and instead pushed for a profit share model.
Eventually,after a marathon meeting held a day after the players went public with explosive claims against Netball Australia,the model pushed by the union was agreed to in principle.
But there were still details the two parties were unable to agree upon,which prevented the two sides from formally signing a contract.
That changed on Tuesday,when only hours into her role as interim CEO,West rang Harby-Williams. Within the day,Netball Australia agreed to the union’s requests,and the deal was signed.
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“I stepped through it with Stacey[West],her head of integrity,and legal counsel. And to Stacey’s credit,she understood what we were trying to achieve,so we came to an agreement reasonably quickly,” Harby-Williams said of that phone call.
Asked if the change of leadership had helped push forward the deal,West was quick to acknowledge “the work done previously to get us to yesterday.”
She described the discussion on Tuesday as the “critical final step.”
“Kathryn and I have known each other for a very,very long time … what I loved about the opportunity to speak with Kathryn was to say,‘we’re here,and let’s do this,and let’s have an opportunity for the sport to take today’s moment and move forward’.”
West’s words on Wednesday were a far cry from Netball Australia’s previous statements on the hybrid revenue share model. As recently as October,Ryan said it was not viable.
“The league is not making any money. So if we start carving out revenue,before actually covering expenses of running the league,that sends us into a much further debt position than what we’re currently in,” Ryan said.
Asked what prompted the backflip,West said it was important to acknowledge the complexity of the model.
But there was also a feeling of solidarity that had previously been missing between the two parties. West nodded emphatically from the sidelines as the union boss – also her former teammate – described how challenging the months of negotiations had been.
Harby-Williams said the revenue share model had “changed[the sport] for the better.”
“Netball is now a sport which incentivises players and administrators alike to grow the game for the benefit of all who love and invest in it,” she added.
Other details of the agreement highlighted the players’ desire to be considered as partners of the sport. In addition to the revenue share model,the players will work with commercial partners to grow the game,and a committee will be established to progress the athletes’ performance and grow the league.
The average potential salary will rise to $89,221,and minimum salaries will rise to $46,600 over the three-year deal.
‘Absolutely shocked’:The future of netball still clouded
Despite the united front at the Parkville courts,the sport faces an uphill battle in an increasingly competitive landscape for women’s professional sport.
And four senior netball sources,all who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of their positions within the sport,felt the current Netball Australia board needed a reset.
The criticism of Netball Australia’s leadership comes amid ongoing challenges for the Super Netball league.
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Asrevealed by this masthead in August,an internal report projected that Super Netball would lose $7.5 million over the next three years unless significant changes were made to its structure.
Both Harby-Williams and Weston acknowledged the challenges ahead.
Weston said:“It is an incredibly competitive landscape in women’s sport at the moment. Netball has always been the number one choice for women and girls,and I want the sport to remain that way.”
Said Harby-Williams:“We are under severe threat.
“There is an absolute war on talent. I see it in my own little community – talented netballers are often talented AFL players. We need to make sure they see,not just from the grassroots but from the very top,that the sport is looking after its athletes,that they are seen as partners of the game.”
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