Super Netball locks in next phase of player pay deal as season start date looms

Super Netball and the Australian Netball Players' Association have reached agreement on the next phase of their pay deal.

Ahead of a return to full pre-season training next Monday, the agreement will see players normally paid below $61,007 (including super) receive JobKeeper payments and those above that threshold get 70 per cent of their salary. The agreement applies from June 22 until September 30.

Once JobKeeper ends on 30 September, all players will be paid 70 per cent of their salary through to the end of the agreement on 30 November 30.

Across a 14-month period, players will receive at least 80 per cent of their equivalent full-year salary and many will receive their full salary or above.

From next Monday, teams will return to a maximum of 23 hours per week of training. A start date of August 1 has been announced but the season structure and fixture is yet to be finalised.

"From the beginning of this pandemic, we have had open and honest discussions with our eight clubs, the playing group and the ANPA," Super Netball chief executive Chris Symington said in a statement.

"We thoroughly appreciate how collaborative this cohort has been throughout these negotiations and it's a credit to the sport that we've landed where we have.

"A further review of this agreement will be completed after round seven, taking into account any reforecasting of revenue and expenses, to assess if any modifications need to be made to the current agreement. But until then, it's exciting that all eight teams will be back to full training on Monday and that we're less than seven weeks out from the first centre pass of 2020."

Australian Netball Players' Association CEO Kathryn Harby-Williams added: "Whilst it has been an extremely challenging period for the playing group, they are extremely excited that a season start date is on the horizon.

"Locking in August 1 allowed us to focus on finalising the pay deal which, as always, was tackled by the ANPA Board, delegates and players with the utmost consideration and respect to the sport and its stakeholders. I'd particularly like to acknowledge the higher paid players who have sacrificed the most but without complaint. Let the games begin!"