The Super Netball Commission has today announced sanctions for the West Coast Fever following confirmed breaches of the club’s 2018 and 2019 salary caps.
The league’s investigation into the various breaches found that the West Coast Fever conducted Total Player Payment cap breaches involving a numberof players across the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
The breaches involved undisclosed contracts which committed to payments above the approved Super Netball League Total Player Payment cap.
It is confirmed that, in total, the West Coast Fever made payments of $127,954 above the Total Player Payment cap in 2018 (19.7% above cap) and payments of $168,659 above the cap in 2019 (25.3% above cap).
The investigation also found no evidence that any West Coast Fever players were aware of the breaches and no current coaches were involved in signing players or organising payments through undisclosed contracts.
Subsequently, the West Coast Fever have agreed to the following sanctions:
1. $300,000 fine
- $150,000 suspended fine, to be paid if the Total Player Payment rules are breached again in the next three years
- $75,000 to be paid in the 2020/21 financial year and $75,000 to be paid in 2021/22 financial year
2. Loss of premierships points for three games (12 premiership points) in the 2021 season
Super Netball Commission Chair Marina Go said the unprecedented nature of the penalties reflected the gravity of theaction.
“The West Coast Fever have been given heavy penalties for the significant breaches of the club’s salary cap over the 2018 and 2019 seasons,” she said.
“There is no room for this behaviour within our sport and the Commission is disappointed to have to hand down these sanctions.”
Once the extent of the breaches was identified by the West Coast Fever Board, they have fully cooperated with the Super Netball League’s investigation.
