Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting has issued a scathing statement in which sports teams have rejected “virtue signalling” after sensationally scrapping their $15 million netball deal.
The mining giant announced on Saturday that it had “regrettably decided to withdraw” its proposed partnerships with Netball Australia and Netball WA, following revelations last weekend that Diamonds players were concerned about wearing a team uniform that included the sponsorship brand of Ms. Rinehart’s company.
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Indigenous player Donnell Wallam, who is in line to make her debut for the Diamonds in the upcoming series against England, was said to have felt uncomfortable wearing the uniform with the Hancock Prospecting logo, following comments made by the Mrs. Rinehart’s father, Lang Hancock, in the 1980s.
In 1984 he infamously suggested that Indigenous Australians should be sterilized to “breed” in the coming years.
After a week of controversy, Hancock Prospecting finally pulled the plug, saying in a statement on Saturday that it had “not been informed” of the problems between Netball Australia and the Players’ Association and that it “did not wish to add to Netball’s disunity issues “. .
Hancock Prospecting has withdrawn its funding from Netball Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
In a later statement, the mining giant stuck the boot in further, saying that “Hancock and its chief executive, Ms Rinehart, believe it is unnecessary for sporting organizations to be used as a vehicle for social or political causes “.
“Firstly, because sport is at its best when it focuses on good and fair competition, with committed athletes striving for excellence to achieve their sporting dreams and to represent our country to the fullest “, says the statement.
“Secondly, because there are more specific and genuine ways to progress in social or political causes without virtue signaling or to advertise them. For example, the significant engagement with local Indigenous communities undertaken by the Roy Hill Community Foundation of Hancock in Western Australia to support their real needs.
“Third, because there are more impactful means of making a beneficial difference. For example, Hancock’s holistic support for real programs, including Hanrine Futures, that provide a real pathway for Indigenous students through education and towards a job where they are guaranteed a job if they want it, at the end of their training.
“The reality is that sponsorship is integral to sports organizations, from full-time professionals to the little kids at the grassroots level, who depend on corporations to invest the funds that allow all sports to not only survive, but may they prosper
Gina Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting pointed to “virtue signaling.” Source: supplied
“Unfortunately, recent media does not help promote sports sponsorships. What may be lacking is a sufficient connection between sponsorship funds and the athletes themselves, with money wasted unnecessarily on administrative and related costs. That is why Hancock has insisted, and will continue to insist, that the funds it provides to the sports it sponsors are spent on and for the athletes.
“Neither Hancock nor Ms. Rinehart has ever requested or insisted that athletes provide any thank you videos or messages, although thank you videos and messages have certainly been received. Hancock and Ms. Rinehart would only like athletes would wear the Hancock logo if the athletes were proud to do so.
“Recent media reports have been disappointing, particularly given that at no time did Hancock insist that his logo be used on the Aussie Diamonds’ kit for the recent games in New Zealand, nor did the Aussie Diamonds they refused to carry the Hancock logo.”
Some in the indigenous community had previously defended Ms Rinehart, saying she did a lot of charity work and should not be judged by what her father said.
Clinton Wolf, CEO of the Indigenous National Timeswrote in an op-ed on Monday that the negativity towards Netball Australia’s sponsorship was “hypocritical”.
“While others have criticized him from the sidelines, he does acts with a good heart,” he said. “Actions always speak louder than words.”
The players were also accused of biting the hand that feeds them by torpedoing a much-needed financial lifeline for the sport.
The sponsorship controversy has overshadowed the Constellation Cup. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The $15 million commercial deal would have been a lifeline for the governing body, which had lost more than $7 million over the past two years, mainly due to costs associated with Super Netball.
As Hancock pointed out on Saturday, their proposed sponsorship “would have allowed for a generous increase in player wages that would not have otherwise been possible given Netball’s financial situation”.
Netball Australia said it was “disappointed” by Hancock’s decision to withdraw the sponsorship.
“We recognize the difficulty and impact of the recent discussions and are disappointed to see them withdraw the partnership,” Netball Australia boss Kelly Ryan said in a statement on Saturday.
“This is a loss for our entire sport, from the grassroots to the elite program. Unfortunately, this is evident today with the decision to also withdraw financial support from Netball WA and West Coast Fever.”
Ms Kelly said she would work “around the clock” to dig herself out of the financial quagmire.
Diamonds players also issued a statement on Saturday denying a “division” on the issue. “Reports of a protest by players on environmental grounds and a split within the playing group are incorrect,” the statement said.
The diamonds did not bear the Hancock logo. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“The singular issue of concern to the players was that of support for our only Indigenous team member. We are fully committed to the Diamonds’ Sister in Arms legacy and the values it stands for, along with the Australian Statement of Commitment netball
The Declaration of Commitment, signed in 2020, involved a coalition of netball organizations pledging to do more to break down barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.
The Diamonds still don’t wear a uniform with the Hancock logo, and now it looks like they never will.
Netball Australia recently rejected a bid from a private equity firm that offered a multi-billion dollar deal. Netball Australia signed its agreement with Hancock.
The sports body had been criticized for a lack of consultation with players over the Hancock deal and there was frustration that Wallam was being unfairly burdened by the situation.