The ABC has reported players are boycotting uniforms with the logo of new sponsor Hancock Prospecting, the mining company of multi-billionaire Gina Rinehart.

The Diamonds are reportedly siding with squad member Donnell Wallam, who has raised concerns with the company’s record on Indigenous issues.

The issue is a thorny one, not least because Netball Australia has suffered losses of more than $7 million in two COVID-impacted years.

Hancock has agreed a $15 million sponsorship deal over four years with the cash-strapped governing body.

Former Diamonds captain Sharni Norder (nee Layton) also opposes the sponsorship due to Rinehart’s climate record, and spoke to the team in the build-up to its Constellation Cup series against New Zealand.

As of Sunday night, the Diamonds had not publicly addressed the spat beyond a written statement acknowledging the need to work through “certain sensitivities”.

Netball Australia says the issue will be resolved at the end of the series.

While players are showing solidarity, the situation is a mess, marked by poor communication between the sport’s management and stars.

Netball Australia media manager Georgina Cahill said coach Stacey Marinkovich had ordered a ban on interviews until Tuesday, when she planned to conduct a media call.

The issue was tacitly addressed after New Zealand’s 52-48 win in Tauranga, when Marinkovich was asked amid her post-match duties whether she’d been able to maintain focus this week.

“When we’re together as a group, it’s all about high performance,” she said.

“It’s about improvement. It’s about our game plan. It’s about our connections and culture.

“I’m really pleased with how we’re able to be in our little bubble and be able to focus on what we need to do out on court.”

The controversy could yet spill over into other sports.

Rinehart and Hancock sponsor the Australian Olympic Committee, Volleyball Australia, Rowing Australia, Synchronised Swimming Australia and Swimming Western Australia – all of whom are likely to be watching this episode closely.

In the centre of the storm, the Diamonds also have a trophy to win, and netball-starved fans that need re-introducing to their national team.

The Australians will play their first home Tests since 2019 when the Constellation Cup concludes in Melbourne on Wednesday and the Gold Coast on Sunday.

“We haven’t (played at) home for over 1000 days, so we’re very excited to be in front of our home crowd,” Marinkovich said.

“As coach, I haven’t actually coached Australia on home soil. There’s a lot of girls that haven’t even played in front of their family and friends.

“Playing at home is a huge advantage … it’ll be nice to be in a normal routine.”

– AAP