Netball Australia chair Marina Go quits while Hancock sponsorship controversy swirls

Fellow board member Wendy Archer has replaced Go, in what Netball Australia described in a statement as a “planned transition”. Go had been appointed in what was originally an interim role as inaugural chair of the new majority independent board in May, 2021.

Although it is believed that tensions had built over the sponsorship controversy, Go said the decision “reflected the time commitment required for the role of chair of Netball Australia”, and said she remained passionate about supporting the sport and CEO Kelly Ryan.

“I am proud of the position Netball Australia is now in – we have made strong progress on the financial stability of the sport, have secured significant new commercial partners and are continuing to identify and build new opportunities to secure a strong future for the sport, our players and our fans,’’ Go said in a statement.

“In light of the time commitments of the role of chair, I have chosen to step aside as originally planned, however I will continue to represent the sport as a director of the Board and through that role will continue my support for CEO Kelly Ryan and her team. I want to congratulate Wendy on her appointment. Wendy has netball in her veins and is the right person to lead the sport now.

“My thanks to all of those who have worked hard to support the sport, and me personally, during my term as chair – my fellow directors, our players and coaching staff, the Netball Australia executive leadership team and staff, the state associations and Suncorp Super Netball clubs, our commercial and broadcast partners, and every club member and volunteer who support the sport in our communities.”

Archer has been a director of Netball Australia since 2018 and is a lifetime member of Netball NSW.

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Sharon Finnan-White, the former Diamond and current member of Netball Australia’s First Nations Advisory Committee, has praised the national squad’s united stand in the $15 million sponsorship dispute involving Hancock Prospecting while criticising the lack of consultation before the deal was signed.

As the Diamonds today return from New Zealand trailing 2-0 in the Constellation Cup series with the final two Tests to play, Finnan-White entered the debate over the Commonwealth Games champions’ issues with wearing the Hancock logo, and their support for current Indigenous squad member Donnell Wallam.

Although Wallam is not in the Constellation Cup touring party and is yet to make her Diamonds debut, the Noongar woman has been selected for the three Tests against England starting on October 26.

It is understood that the Australian players had advised Netball Australia they were prepared to wear the logo during the New Zealand series, as a compromise measure while negotiations continued with NA and before Wallam joins the group for the Roses games in Newcastle, Sydney and Brisbane.

But, just hours before game one in Auckland on Wednesday, players were instead provided with an old uniform that pre-dated the annual $3.5 million deal with the WA mining company due to run until 2026.

It is also believed that Finnan-White was asked to act as an intermediary between Netball Australia and Wallam last week, but that no direct discussions over what is being framed as a “conscientious objection” to the arrangement with Hancock Prospecting have yet taken place.

“I commend the playing group for standing up for what they believe in as a united voice regarding their concerns about social justice and environmental issues which are important to them,’’ Finnan-White said in a statement to CODE Sports.

“I feel for the players who must be under an enormous amount of pressure for taking this stand while also focusing on playing for their country.

“The Hancock family have generated massive profits for themselves from mining on Indigenous land over the years. Lang Hancock expressed extremely racist views, which almost 40 years later are shocking and disturbing.

“Many First Nations communities strongly oppose mining on their traditional lands which they have cared for, and been custodians of, for tens of thousands of years and where they have strong cultural, physical and spiritual connections.

“In June 2020, Netball Australia made a public commitment to listen, learn and change by engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people which led to a Declaration of Commitment and the establishment of a First Nations Advisory Committee.

“It is disappointing that Netball Australia did not consult with the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA) and its First Nations Advisory Committee prior to engaging with a sponsor which may conflict with the values of these groups.’’

Finnan-White added that she was pleased with the support provided by ANPA and its CEO, Kathryn Harby-Williams, to the playing group in general and Wallam in particular, who would become the first Indigenous Diamond in over two decades if she takes to the court against the Roses.

“I am reassured that Netball Australia is now committed to conversations and hope an agreement will be reached which respects the values of the players and honours the Declaration of Commitment. Further discussions with the players is vital, but should take place after the international series to allow them to focus on match preparations.’’

Top-ranked Australia has lost the opening games against the Ferns by eight and four goals respectively, and need to claim the last two in Melbourne and on the Gold Coast by an aggregate winning margin of 13 goals to regain the Constellation Cup.