GIANTS Netball strongly condemns the online abuse directed at captain Jo Harten following last night’s Suncorp Super Netball clash in Perth.
Harten led her team brilliantly throughout the nail-biting contest which saw the top-of-the-table GIANTS go down bravely 66-65 to the West Coast Fever.
The 32-year old International star received unwarranted abuse via social media after the game in which she was a key figure in the tense final stages.
GIANTS Netball General Manager Tim Underwood says the entire Netball community stands united behind Harten.
“Behaviour like this is completely unacceptable and our athletes deserve better,” said Underwood.
“Jo is an experienced player who will no doubt move on quickly like the champion she is, but she’s done the right thing by calling this incident out.
“Not every athlete has the tools to deal with such vitriol and abuse like this can do serious damage to the mental wellbeing of athletes.
“No matter what you think of the athlete or the result, behaviour like this has no place in our game or in sport more broadly.”
Following five days in hotel quarantine in Perth, The GIANTS return to Sydney on Tuesday to prepare for the Derby against the Swifts at Ken Rosewall Arena at Sydney Olympic Park this Sunday. Tickets are available via Ticketek.
