SUNCORP Super Netballers will receive up to a 22 per cent increase next year to remain the highest-paid female domestic club athletes in the country.

The announcement came today that the netballers could earn up to an additional fifth of their current salary, following a new pay deal agreed upon by Netball Australia, the Australian Netball Players’ Association and the eight Suncorp Super Netball clubs. The two-year deal increases the average potential maximum salary of contracted players from $75,167 to $91,500.

The average minimum salary of contracted players on each of the lists will rise by 15 per cent, going up from the current $64,167, to $74,000 next season, whilst the minimum overall salary of all athletes will rise from $36,667 to $43,000.. Meanwhile for training partners, their honorarium will go up 42 per cent, from $3000 to $5000.

The player pay increase has been made possible credit to the league’s new broadcast agreement with the Foxtel Group, where Suncorp Super Netball supporters can watch every game live and ad-free on Foxtel of Kayo.

Netball Australia Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ryan said it was a massive announcement for the players, and the league.

“This landmark deal ensures our players are the highest-paid female domestic club athletes in the country and our league remains the best in the world,” Ryan said.

“We have worked constructively with the Australian Netball Players’ Association and the eight Suncorp Super Netball clubs to reach this outstanding outcome.

“Increasing the sustainability of netball and improving athlete conditions were central to these negotiations and we are delighted to reach an agreement on this deal, which delivers players a pay rise of up to 22%.”

Australian Netball Players’ Association CEO Kathryn Harby-Williams said the pay increase enabled the Suncorp Super Netball to continue welcoming the best players in the world.

“I am delighted that the players’ extraordinary professionalism and commitment has been recognised in this new deal, which is a real step forward for netballers in Australia,” Harby-Williams said.

“We believe Suncorp Super Netball is the best women’s sports league in the world. This agreement will allow us to continue to attract the world’s best players, with women’s sport growing rapidly in Australia and around the world.

“I know the players are looking forward to continuing to deliver above and beyond for our sport in this exciting next stage of its development.”

Australian Netball Players’ Association President and Melbourne Vixens’ defender Jo Weston said it was a great reward for the sacrifices made by players over the past couple of years during the most challenging time in Australian sport.