Diamonds pressure Netball Australia into crisis talks over deal with mining magnate

Australia’s national netball team, The Diamonds, have reportedly taken a stand against Netball Australia’s new sponsor, mining giant Hancock Prospecting, after being addressed by their former skipper Sharni Norder.

The Diamonds, in New Zealand for the Constellation Cup series with game two in Tauranga on Sunday, are said to be concerned about the sponsor being branded across their uniforms.

Netball Australia and its Players’ Association are now in urgent talks ahead of Sunday’s second Test of the Constellation Cup against New Zealand in Tauranga after Diamonds players raised issues about taking the netball court against New Zealand wearing a uniform featuring new sponsor, Hancock Prospecting.

Netball Australia confirmed the new squad uniform had been delayed “pending the resolution of outstanding matters relating to the player interim agreement and certain sensitivities”.

Late last month the cash-strapped organisation trumpeted the multi-million dollar sponsorship deal with billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart. The sponsorship, continuing until the end of 2025, was set to go towards the sport’s high-performance program.

However Netball Australia has now said in a prepared statement: “This delay allows time to ensure players remain focused on the Constellation Cup competition and for Netball Australia and the Australian Netball Players Association to resolve these matters in an appropriate time frame.

“Netball Australia is committed to continuing these conversations and working with all parties to the benefit of our sport,” the statement continued.

“The Hancock Prospecting partnership is one of the most significant investments in our sport, $15m dollars will be provided over four years with 100% directed at players,