Netball Australia’s $9m boost as support continues after Rinehart’s brutal backflip

Netball has received more than $9m in federal funding in a bid to sustain the sport through to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria.

The federal government and Australian Institute of Sport have committed $9.4m to Netball Australia and the Diamonds, following a tumultuous year in which Gina Rinehart pulled her $15m sponsorship of the national team before the state-backed tourism body Visit Victoria came to the rescue.

Rinehart tore up her company Hancock Propsecting’s sponsorship deal in October after Diamonds players backed a move by their Indigenous teammate Donnell Wallam to oppose racist comments that had been made by the company’s late founder, Lang Hancock.

Netball Australia boss Kelly Ryan said the funding was “important” for the sport, which recorded a loss of $7.2m over the last two financial years.

“Netball is the cornerstone of women’s sport in Australia and we thank the AIS for investing in the future success of the Australian Diamonds and our high performance program,” Ryan said.

“The Diamonds won gold at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and will this year set out to regain the Netball World Cup.”

Commonwealth Games chief executive Craig Phillips said the commitment ensured the Diamonds could focus on the 2026 Games, with the netball slated to be held in Bendigo.

“Victoria 2026 is a critical milestone in Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy and we welcome this generous funding commitment,” Phillips said.

“For all sports, certainty in funding is what provides for appropriate planning and delivery ahead of competition on the world stage.

“Our hope is that this bold, early investment continues for all Victoria 2026 program sports.”

Thursday’s round of funding included a significant 59 per cent increase to investment in bowls, with Bowls Australia to receive $5.6m in support for both its able-bodied and para-athlete programs.

Squash was also a winner, receiving $2.36m after Australia’s eight contenders fell short of clinching a medal at the 2022 Birmingham Games.

In 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australians won two gold and one bronze medal in the sport.