Equal pay for netballers, footballers levels the playing field at trailblazing Bendigo club

On the eve of the Bendigo Football Netball season, the Golden Square Football Netball Club has made a statement, announcing it will move towards paying its netball players the same as its football players. 

But most of the senior football players will get paid more than the A-grade netballers this season. 

Golden Square Football Netball Club President Ian Symons said the conversation started during a meeting about the club's values. 

He said some senior players get more, based on experience and loyalty, but the club was keen for the netball payment to match the footballers, even if it took a few years to catch up.

The ABC understands most of the senior footballers at the club get more than $150 a game. 

«The base payment is $100 per person in the senior footy team,» Mr Symons said.

«And that will now be the same case for the girls.»

«When you think about the idea and you talk about the idea, it's a no-brainer,» Mr Symons said.

Golden Square netballer Maddy Keighran said it was very exciting news for the netballers. 

The A-grade team will go from not getting paid at all, to getting $100 a game.

«I think it sends a clear message to all the players that us netballers are valued by the club just as much as the footballers,» Keighran said.

Golden Square Football captain Jack Geary also welcomed the news.

«The footballers have been getting paid for years, it seems only fair that the netballers got there eventually,» Geary said.

For both players, the good news was unexpected.

«I think it's probably as big a shock to the netballers, you know, as anyone because they weren't pushing for it,» Geary said.

«For the club to be so proactive and more or less offer it, is unbelievable, really.»

Netball Journalist Erin Delahunty told ABC Central Victoria