Visit Victoria steps in with $15M Netball Australia sponsorship deal after Hancock Prospecting withdrawal
Netball Australia’s $15 million funding deficit has been resolved with a new sponsorship deal of the same value, as Visit Victoria has stepped in as the number one sponsor of the sports national team, the Australian Diamonds.
The news comes after the team’s funding was last week left in limbo after executive chairman of Hancock Prospecting, Gina Reinhart, pulled the mining company’s $15 million sponsorship due to Diamonds player’s protests around the deal.
The partnership was plunged into uncertainties when Indigenous player Donnell Wallam, supported by her teammates, voiced concerns about Lang Hancock’s past stance on Indigenous issues.
The partnership will run until June 2027, with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announcing the Diamonds will showcase the nation’s sporting capital with branding on their team kit for home and away tests, while players and coaches will be involved in campaigns to promote Victoria as a fantastic tourism destination.
Andrews said: “Victoria is our nation’s sporting capital and its best tourist destination – it’s only right we launch this new partnership to back elite netball in Australia and promote our state to the world.”
“This partnership isn’t just about elite netballers – we’re proud to be supporting grassroots netball clubs and increasing women’s participation in sport in every corner of the state.”
The Diamonds will also play five test matches and hold their high-performance training camps in Victoria between 2023 and 2026, while the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final will be played in Victoria as part of the deal.
The Victorian Government has said that the partnership will not only promote netball at the elite level, but will deliver community initiatives to encourage grassroots participation in the sport, particularly in culturally diverse communities.
Steve Dimopouls, minister for tourism, sport and major events, said: “As we prepare to host the world’s first regional Commonwealth Games in 2026, our ground-breaking partnership with the Diamonds will allow us to further showcase why we do sport better than anywhere else in Australia.”
Netball Australia’s chief executive officer, Kelly Ryan, added: “Victoria is a proud sporting state, and we are delighted to announce a new partnership with Visit Victoria. The partnership will guarantee Victorians the opportunity to experience more netball across the next four and a half years.”
Australian Diamonds captain, Liz Watson, said: “This is a significant partnership for the Origin Australian Diamonds as we prepare to defend our Commonwealth Games gold medal in Victoria in 2026. Visit Victoria is a proud supporter of netball, and this investment will benefit all levels of our game.”
Mumbrella’s Calum Jaspan last week took a deep dive into the potential perils of sports sponsorships when it comes to the conflicting values of players and partners, which you can check out here.
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topics
Daniel Andrews
diamonds
Gina Reinhart
Hancock Prospecting
Kelly Ryan
Liz Watson
Netball Australia
Steve Dimopouls
Visit Victoria
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