Fallout with Gina Rinehart almost resulted in Diamonds NOT FEATURING in World Cup warm-up tournament

The fallout with mining magnate Gina Rinehart almost resulted in the Australian Diamonds not taking part in a main worldwide netball tournament subsequent month.

On Friday, Netball Australia (NA) confirmed Stacey Marinkovich’s squad will compete in the Quad Series in South Africa from January 22-26 towards England, New Zealand and the hosts.

It is a vital hit-out forward of the World Cup – additionally in Cape Town – which begins on July 28.

After Rinehart – by her firm Hancock Prospecting – withdrew $15 million of sponsorship, Netball Australia confronted an unsure future financially.

The Victorian Government – by Visit Victoria – stepped in and would be the fundamental sponsor of the Diamonds, however that deal does not begin till subsequent 12 months.

The fallout with mining magnate Gina Rinehart almost resulted in the Australian Diamonds not taking part in a significant worldwide netball tournament subsequent month

Netball Australia has confirmed Donnell Wallam and her teammates will compete in January’s Quad Series in South Africa

In October, the Diamonds taking part in group refused to put on branding on their clothes that includes Rinehart’s enterprise in the Constellation Cup versus New Zealand. 

It adopted Indigenous participant Donnell Wallam voicing considerations over historic feedback made by the corporate’s founder, and Rinehart’s father, Lang Hancock about First Nations folks.

He infamously advised Indigenous Australians ought to be sterilised in the Eighties.

Netball Australia boss Kelly Ryan stated a ‘wide selection of things’ had been thought of earlier than confirming the Diamonds will grace the court docket in Cape Town.

‘Netball Australia assesses all worldwide alternatives for the Australian Diamonds, contemplating a variety of things together with journey and timing,’ Ryan instructed News Corp.

Netball Australia lately unveiled vital equipment adjustments which can come into impact subsequent 12 months

The present uniform consists of a brief costume, however gamers shall be allowed to decide on what they wish to put on from 2023

‘The Australian Diamonds taking part in group was conscious the withdrawal of the (Hancock) sponsorship may have an effect on Netball Australia’s plans and actions.

‘Netball Australia is extremely happy that the Diamonds shall be taking part in January’s Netball Quad Series, which shall be a key lead-up to the World Cup.

‘The Australian Diamonds will come up towards the among the world’s high netball nations in what is a vital alternative to work on taking part in mixtures and on-court connections.’

Earlier this month, Netball Australia additionally unveiled plans to offer gamers and umpires extra alternative in what they put on throughout matches, in a bid to enhance inclusivity in the game.

The governing physique stated the brand new tips will ‘recognise the varied particular person preferences and non secular beliefs of netballers.’

Players shall be allowed to decide on between sporting a costume, singlet, bodysuit, brief sleeve or lengthy sleeve shirt, skirt, shorts and lengthy pants.