Netball pay rises set in play for next year

BUSINESS is booming in Suncorp Super Netball with players set to get a pay rise in 2019.

The total payment pool for the eight teams in the world’s best netball competition will increase to $ 5.32 million a year with the salary cap for each club to increase by $ 15,000 to $ 515,000.

Teams can access up to $ 150,000 for employment, education and ambassadorial roles for players who will enjoy a boost in their insurance allowance.

N e t b a l l Australia has also locked in the year- long contract periods for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons allowing teams and players to negotiate long- term deals.

Netball Australia CEO Marne Fechner ( pictured) said the agreement underlined how the sport and the Suncorp Super Netball competition was a “genuine career pathway”.

“We are driven to set new benchmarks and make Suncorp Super Netball the number one women’s league globally. On court, season two has raised the bar, the competition is closer and more fiercely contested than ever before — the players sit at the heart of that,’’ she said.

Australian Netball Players’ Association CEO Kathryn Harby- Williams said the most important part of the new pay deal was the increase in minimum player payments.

“This was a clear objective and central to our discussions, so to see the minimum payment for all players rise by 8.75 per cent to $ 30,000 is a great outcome,’’ Harby- Williams said.

“It’s another step forward in protecting and supporting our players on and off the court. It also ensures all players are in the best position to commit to competing at the elite level.”

With dates set for the next three seasons, teams can resign any of their existing 10 contracted players from July 1.

Clubs cannot approach players from rival teams until after August 27, the Monday after this season’s Super Netball decider. Full squads for the 2019 season will be announced in late September.