Australia’s top netballers will earn up to 22 per cent more and remain the highest-paid female domestic club athletes in the country, with Netball Australia, the Australian Netball Players’ Association and the eight Suncorp Super Netball clubs agreeing to a new pay deal.
In a two-year deal that benefits the athletes, the average potential maximum salary of contracted players will increase from $75,167 to $91,500.
The average minimum player salary of contracted players will also rise, by 15 per cent, from $64,167 to $74,000.
From the 2022 season, the minimum salary of all athletes will grow by 17 per cent, up to $43,000 from $36,667.
The deal also provides further funding for training partners, with their honorarium increasing from $3,500 to $5,000 per year.
The pay deal is supported by the league’s new broadcast agreement with the Foxtel Group, where every game of the 2022 season will be broadcast live and ad-free on Foxtel or Kayo Sports.
Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan was delighted to announce that an agreement had been reached, with the contract signing period to commence in the coming days.
“This landmark deal ensures our players are the highest-paid female domestic club athletes in the country and our league remains the best in the world,” Ryan said.
“We have worked constructively with the Australian Netball Players’ Association and the eight Suncorp Super Netball clubs to reach this outstanding outcome.
“Increasing the sustainability of netball and improving athlete conditions were central to these negotiations and we are delighted to reach an agreement on this deal, which delivers players a pay rise of up to 22%.”
Australian Netball Players’ Association CEO Kathryn Harby-Williams said the new deal would allow the league to continue to attract the world’s best players.
“I am delighted that the players’ extraordinary professionalism and commitment has been recognised in this new deal, which is a real step forward for netballers in Australia,” Harby-Williams said.
“We believe Suncorp Super Netball is the best women’s sports league in the world. This agreement will allow us to continue to attract the world’s best players, with women’s sport growing rapidly in Australia and around the world.
“I know the players are looking forward to continuing to deliver above and beyond for our sport in this exciting next stage of its development.”
President of the Australian Netball Players’ Association Joanna Weston believed it was appropriate recognition for the athletes, who have made significant sacrifices over the past two seasons.
“It is hugely satisfying that, following the league’s ground-breaking new broadcast deal in February, players are being appropriately acknowledged through this new pay deal for our contribution to the sport and for the sacrifices we have made over the last two years,” Weston said.
