Netball Australia (NA) and the Australian Netball Players’ Association (ANPA) have reached agreement on a landmark deal to underpin a new Collective Player Agreement (CPA).
For the first time in the sport’s history, the parties have agreed to a revenue-share model where the players will receive a share of Diamonds sponsorship, broadcast and event revenue secured by the sport’s governing body.
Under the three-year deal, Diamonds players will receive around a 40 per cent pay increase over the term.
The new deal also provides significant investment in player programs and services, including wellbeing, transition and alumni support, as well as a commitment to work together to develop commercial opportunities, including through a new Player Ambassador Pool.
Netball Australia CEO Stacey West said the new CPA reflected the wide commercial appeal of our national players and the key role they play growing the game, in partnership with Netball Australia.
“Working together we can maximise commercial and social impact opportunities for our sport, for our athletes and for our partners,” West said.
“The Diamonds players are the best players in the world and they should be recognised and rewarded for their strong marketability, world class skills, hard work and their dedication to our sport and our communities,’’ West said.
“The Australian Diamonds are the inspiration for current and future generations of fans, players and officials and they will continue to play a vital role in the sport’s overall growth.
“Netball is enjoying incredible success on and off the court with record crowds, broadcast audiences and fan engagement. This new deal reflects the close partnership between Netball Australia and the Australian Diamonds.
“When the game grows everyone in the system will benefit and this deal establishes an innovative model that enables the players to directly share in the revenue from Diamonds team sponsorships, commercial partnerships and broadcast deals.’’
The Diamonds CPA agreement comes on top of the sponsorship outperformance deal struck with Suncorp Super Netball players late last year, which included a minimum pay increase of 11 per cent over three years.
Netball Australia Chair Liz Ellis AO welcomed the historic deal.
“Netball Australia is proud of this new deal which sets a new benchmark for women’s team sports in Australia,’’ Ellis said.
“We understand that without the players there is no game and we are committed to continuing to work together to ensure the players benefit from the sport’s ongoing success, especially as we head towards the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney and our ambitions for Olympic inclusion in 2032.
West and Ellis thanked the Australian Netball Players' Association for the constructive talks over several months.
ANPA CEO Kathryn Harby-Williams AM was thrilled to reach an agreement.
“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Netball Australia that acknowledges the players’ value and contribution to the game," Harby-Williams said.
“The new revenue share partnership model aligns netball with other major national and international sports, recognising that the world champion Australian Diamonds are more than just employees – they are the product. This agreement ensures players are starting to be rewarded in a way that reflects their impact and success.
“ANPA is excited to enter a new era built on stability, mutual respect and a shared commitment to the growth of the sport. This agreement includes outperformance mechanisms, enabling both parties to share in netball’s future success – a recognition that we are stronger together.
“We thank Netball Australia for their commitment to adopting the key principles of revenue sharing. This partnership lays the foundation for a sustainable and successful future for netball in Australia, benefiting players, fans and the broader netball community.”
ANPA President Jo Weston is glad to have secured the new agreement.
“We are so pleased to have worked collaboratively with Netball Australia to secure an agreement based on revenue share principles – one which rewards players for their contribution to the game.," Weston said.
“Equally important is the increased investment into ANPA’s programs and services, which will directly support the wellbeing of the current generation and strengthen our connection with past players.
“Wellbeing is always a priority for players. We recognise the journey we are on and the importance of taking a holistic approach to the game – one that supports athletes both on and off the court and ultimately helps us perform at our best.”
