Key Points
- Hancock Prospecting has announced it is withdrawing proposed sponsorship of Netball Australia following controversy.
- The company said it will provide short-term funding to give Netball an opportunity to arrange an alternative sponsor.
Hancock Prospecting has announced it is withdrawing a proposed sponsorship arrangement with Netball Australia, but says it will provide short-term funding to netball until the sport acquires another sponsor.
Roy Hill, which is majority-owned by Hancock Prospecting, will also be discontinuing its sponsorship arrangement with Netball Western Australia.
Hancock is owned by billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart.
It comes after players expressed concerns about the partnership, because of Hancock Prospecting's track record with Indigenous people.
However, the members of the Australian Diamonds team issued a statement expressing disappointment in Hancock withdrawing its offer of sponsorship.
"As Netball Australia has emphasised, these funds go towards the Diamonds high performance and underpinning programs, something that is of critical importance to us all," the statement said.
"The players acknowledge that the support of our commercial partners is critical to the financial sustainability of the sport. We are incredibly grateful to our existing sponsors for their ongoing backing of netball at all levels."
In a statement issued on Saturday, Hancock Prospecting said it was not aware of "the complexity of preexisting issues between Netball Australia and the Players Association".
"Hancock, and similarly Roy Hill, embarked on these proposed partnerships in good faith and on the basis of representations and its resulting understanding that Netball Australia and the sport's key stakeholder groups including the Australian Diamonds, were united in their support of one of West Australia's preeminent mining companies becoming their principal sponsor," the statement said.
"Particularly given Hancock is the most successful private company in Australia, indeed in Australia's history, and the Australian Diamonds strive to be a highly successful Australian netball team."
The statement also addressed rumours that players had boycotted uniforms featuring the Hancock Prospecting logo.
"Contrary to recent media, Hancock had not insisted that its name be worn by the Australian Diamonds in the current Constellation Cup series when overseas, and was advised that the netballers had no concerns in wearing the name on the team dress for the series," the statement said.
The players' statement said there was not a split within the playing group, and added it is incorrect the protest was on environmental grounds.
"The singular issue of concern to the players was one of support for our only Indigenous team member. We are fully committed to the Diamonds' Sisters in Arms legacy and the values this represents, alongside Australian Netball's Declaration of Commitment," the statement said.
Hancock Prospecting said it had advised Netball Australia that it has withdrawn from its proposed partnership effective immediately.
NA Chair Wendy Archer said while the decision was a disappointing outcome for the sport, Netball Australia understood Hancock Prospecting’s decision.
“We are grateful that Hancock Prospecting continued to stand by our sport throughout the recent turbulence and we regret the impact this has had on the company,” Mrs Archer said.
“This has been a challenging period for all involved and while every effort has been made from all parties to resolve the issues surrounding the sensitivities of the partnership, unfortunately, we have not been able to achieve a mutually satisfactory outcome.”
Mrs Archer confirmed Hancock Prospecting has agreed to provide four-month funding to support the organisation in the immediate short-term.
