Sylvia Jeffrey's 'desperate' plea for Australia's professional netballers: 'What hope do they have?'

OPINION -- Australia's professional netball players had a great deal to celebrate on the weekend after a hugely successful year on the domestic and international stage.

So when some of the biggest names in the sport boycotted the annual awards night, we got an insight into how toxic the relationship has become between players and their governing body.

But yesterday, as Diamonds star Jo Weston tearfully fronted a press conference on behalf of the players association, the toll of recent pay negotiations became horribly clear.

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Weston and Player Union CEO, Kathryn Harby-Williams, revealed that some professional athletes had been sleeping in their cars, or moving home to live with family after not receiving any pay since their contracts expired in October.

For many months, players have been asking for a share in revenue; a proposal rejected by Netball Australia CEO, Kelly Ryan.

On Wednesday, Ryan offered an 11 per cent pay rise and backpay; a proposal which the players dismissed as a "publicity stunt".

As the discussions drag on, the ugliness of it all has left many wondering why the Matildas effect has not rubbed off on netball?

Why aren't our world champion netballers basking in that glow? Suncorp Super Netball is running at a loss and after Gina Rinehart's high profile decision to pull funding, Netball Australia is desperate for financial injections.

Sponsors aren't the only ones abandoning Netball Australia as the federal government pulls $17 million in support that will now be redirected to other women's sports.

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The funds are available through a competitive tender process and according to a statement from the office of Sports Minister, Anika Wells, the business position put forward by NA was not "sufficiently robust", nor did it convince her that the investment would produce "positive outcomes".

If Netball Australia can't even convince the government of the benefits of investing in one of the country's most popular female sports, what hope do they have of attracting private investors?

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Netball Australia boss, Kelly Ryan, is said to be back at the negotiating table with players today and if she can't secure a suitable agreement, serious questions need to be asked about her suitability as the leader of this organisation.

I've no doubt that Ryan cares deeply about netball and the people who play it, but if she can't convince the best players in the world that they have a future in the sport it may be time for her to pass the leadership baton on.

And anyone who cares about women's sport should watch this space closely, because there are young girls in every corner of the country who want to believe that they too could have a future in netball.