A pay war has been averted — for now — after Australia’s Super Netball players agreed to an updated collective player agreement for 2027.
Under the new collective player agreement (CPA), Super Netball players will receive improved pay and conditions, more time off and greater ability to sign individual sponsorship deals.
The 12-month bridging agreement to the CPA has been agreed between Netball Australia, the Super Netball clubs and the Australian Netball Players’ Association (ANPA).
It means Super Netball clubs can start contracting players and preparing for the 2027 campaign.
Before this week’s agreement went through, players had been in contract limbo.
The protracted pay dispute also meant plans to expand Super Netball had been placed on hold until at least 2028, despite a new five-year broadcast deal with the Nine Network starting in 2027.
With the CPA now locked in for 2027, attention will turn to a longer-term deal for 2028 and beyond in coming months, with Netball Australia hoping to avoid a repeat of a drawn-out pay dispute.
The ANPA want a revenue-share model, as well as better pregnancy and parental leave policies as part of a longer-term deal.
Netball Australia interim chief executive Mark Falvo said the 12-month bridging agreement struck the right balance between delivering immediate benefits for players, while also positioning the sport for future growth.
“We are at a pivotal moment for our sport,” Falvo said in a statement.
“This agreement gives our players, clubs and the league certainty while we enter a period of significant commercial opportunity for netball.
“There is more work to do on meeting some of the asks for the athletes and the clubs, but this agreement delivers meaningful outcomes for players today while demonstrating our responsibility to balance the long-term sustainability of the league.”
The news of the fresh CPA comes on the back of Sports Entertainment Group (SEG), headed by Craig Hutchison, putting the final touches on their takeover of the licence of the Giants Super Netball club.
SEG already owns the Melbourne Mavericks as well as multiple basketball clubs, with the Giants set to become the latest franchise to go under their SEN Teams banner.
The flurry of netball news comes just days after the Australian Diamonds suffered a shock 46-45 semi-final loss to Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The Diamonds were hot favourites to snare gold, but had to settle for bronze with a 80-65 win over England in the third-versus-fourth play-off match.
Although New Zealand walked away with the gold medal, their domestic competition faces an uncertain future after losing around $3.7 million in 2026.
With no broadcast deal in place, rumours are bubbling the Premiership in New Zealand could be placed on hold for 2027, or downgraded to amateur status.
It means a flurry of Kiwi players could seek out Super Netball deals for next year as they seek financial security.
New CPA deal:
- Increase to the total player payment pool (minimum and maximum amounts) by greater than the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
- Players to receive a one-off payment upon the signing of a commercial partner for the Super Netball league
- Additional time off through condensing hours for club commitments that will free up an additional two weeks of time off per year
- Option for athletes to enter into multi-year contracts
- Greater ability for athletes to secure their own individual sponsorship deals
- Increased health insurance and meal allowances
AAP
Discussion about this post