A Netball Australia investigation has found the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball failed to immediately report their links to Victorian exposure sites during the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season, in line with the league’s COVID-19 protocols and directions.
The Swifts and the GIANTS, who are both owned and operated by Netball NSW, delayed reporting their links and the subsequent penalties have been ratified by the Netball Australia Board.
Members of the NSW Swifts travelling party were required to isolate for 14 days in Adelaide after being identified as close contacts of patrons who attended a Tier 1 exposure site in Melbourne.
GIANTS Netball were delayed departing Adelaide when the competition relocated to Queensland in July, after it was identified a number of players and staff had visited a Tier 1 and Tier 2 exposure site in Melbourne.
Netball NSW has been fined $10,000 for the Swifts’ delay in reporting the exposure link.
The organisation has also been fined $10,000, suspended for two years, and been ordered to pay $37,563 for the GIANTS additional charter and commercial flights to Queensland.
Netball NSW has accepted both penalties for the Swifts and the GIANTS.
“Netball Australia takes any breach of its COVID-19 protocols and directions incredibly seriously,” said Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan.
“We understand 2021 was a particularly challenging season and we thank the teams for their sacrifices and commitment, however we will continue to do everything we can to safeguard the Suncorp Super Netball competition.”
