The Tasmanian government is dragging its feet whether or not to withdrawal a financial commitment from the state's involvement in two national netball competitions should their season be abandoned.
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Minister for Sport and Recreation Jane Howlett had only announced 44 days ago that the government would contribute $1.75 million over the next three years to fund the Tasmanian Magpies and annual Super Netball games at Launceston's Silverdome.
The state commitment had been barely days old before the new federal government restrictions on self-isolation and social distancing had an immediate affect on netball.
Play has been suspended until at least June 30 after all state leagues, which includes the opening two rounds in Tasmania, first commenced in March before coronavirus fears halted their season.
So Netball Australia is still not any closer to beginning its Australian Netball League that involves a Tasmanian representative team or Super Netball, which Collingwood Magpies have been playing a home and trial game every year since 2017 in the state.
A significant slice of nearly $600,000 of the funds each year is to subsidise the costs of Collingwood shifting one of their seven home matches away from Melbourne Arena.
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The government, who is yet to speak with AFL clubs Hawthorn and North Melbourne over possible refunds of taxpayer's money should Tasmania not host all or any of its eight scheduled games in 2020, said no decision has been reached on its commitment to netball in the state.
"We won't speculate on what may be possible in the future until we have a clearer picture of the impact of the spread of the virus here in Tasmania," the government said in a brief statement.
It was the same statement given when questioned over its commitment to Tasmania acting as a possible AFL hub for a season return at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Netball Tasmania chief executive Aaron Pidgeon is not too concerned over the government's distinct lack of financial transparency.
"I have received no indication at this stage that there's any change of plans in regards to funding," he said.
It comes after Howlett said the new deal would "keep the Tasmanian Magpies in the Australian Netball League".
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Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
