Netball Australia secures $15m sponsorship deal with Visit Victoria after Hancock Prospecting saga
Netball Australia has secured a new $15 million sponsorship deal with Visit Victoria, just over a week after Hancock Prospecting pulled its contract with the sport.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the partnership would run over four-and-a half-years and will see the Visit Victoria logo worn by all players.
Under the deal, the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final will be played in Victoria and the Diamonds will play test matches and hold training camps in Victoria between 2023 and 2026.
Netball Australia chief executive Kelly Ryan said the partnership was “unlike any partnership (they) have had before”.
Last week, Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting withdrew its contract after players raised concerns about wearing the mining company’s logo over comments Rinehart’s father Lang Hancock made in 1984 and record on Indigenous issues.
Ryan said the state government reached out after hearing that the sponsorship fell through.
“(They) cannot be compared in any way, shape or form, they’re two very, very different partnerships,” she said.
“And this partnership values the content that we offer, so everything from pathway events, through to the elite competition.”
Andrews said the deal was a “coup” for the state’s tourism campaign.
“This is all about supporting netball. Of course our government has such a strong track record of doing that,” he said.
“This is the sporting and major events capital of Australia and this is the next step and to be able to have the world’s very best netball team to wear our logo is absolutely fantastic.”
