In Melbourne, Australian national women’s soccer team member Kyah Simon expressed her understanding and support for the national netball players in their ongoing battle for fair pay and conditions that reflect their true value. The Super Netball league players are currently embroiled in a contentious dispute with Netball Australia regarding terms for a new collective bargaining agreement.
The Matildas, who recently made it to the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup, previously had to fight a similar battle against Football Australia to secure a better pay deal back in 2015.
Simon shared her empathy for the netball players and emphasized the challenges they are facing in their fight for what they rightfully deserve. She also expressed her hope for a speedy and fair resolution to the dispute.
Since the expiration of the last collective bargaining agreement in September, the netball players have effectively been out of employment. Netball Australia has announced its commitment to providing significant annual guaranteed increases to base salaries and has offered an interim pay deal, which the players rejected.
The push for better pay for netball players has received support from Australia’s cricketers, who pledged a “fighting fund” to back the netballers during the stand-off.
Simon made these comments while attending a ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the Matildas were honored with the Don Award, Australia’s highest sporting honor, for their successful semi-finals run at the World Cup. The team’s achievements led to record viewership and crowds for women’s sporting events in Australia.
Despite achieving pay parity with the national men’s team, players in the domestic women’s competition often struggle financially due to modest salaries. This was exemplified by Wellington Phoenix midfielder Chloe Knott’s recent departure from the team, as she cited the unsustainable financial situation for female footballers as one of the reasons for her decision.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
