Netball leaders appeal to NSW Premier

Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett is among prominent netball personalities to have signed a letter sent to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian telling her the game is facing a financial crisis, and calling for greater clarity about the return of community sport in the state.

The letter was signed by Giants' shooter Bassett and the captains and coaches of both NSW Super Netball teams, the Swifts' Maddy Proud and Briony Akle and the Giants' Jo Harten and Julie Fitzgerald.

The signatories said the onus was on the state government to tell netballers in NSW when they could return to the sport.

Netball NSW slashed it's budget at the onset of the pandemic to remain viable, but the situation continues to adversely impact the entire netball community's regular sources of revenue, and operating costs continue to be incurred.

"The game is facing a financial crisis," the signatories said.

"Other states have provided financial assistance and a return to play date for sport, yet in NSW we have nothing.

"This is even harder to fathom given the Australian Institute of Sport has written the guidelines on how to reboot sport across the country.

"At a time when schools are back in session, pubs and restaurants are able to host up to 50 people and life looks like it is getting back to normal, community sport is high and dry without even a hint of when further information might be forthcoming.

"Netball NSW has done everything we can to this point. The onus is now on the State Government to fulfil their duty to 115,000 players in NSW and tell us when we can return to netball."

The Super Netball season was scheduled to start on May 2 but in late March was put back until at least the end of June because of the pandemic.