Weston disappointed about rule change, lack of consultation

Melbourne Vixens and Australian Diamonds defender, Jo Weston - who is also Vice President of the Australian Netball Players' Association - was disappointed not just with the decision, but the lack of consultation with the playing group.

"I’m on the [SSN] Competition Committee and they didn’t talk to us before making the decision, and that’s what it’s [the Competition Committee] in place for…changes of rules, changes of contracting, and the like. The fact that they’ve made this decision without consulting the Competition Committee questions the administration of the League.

"Netball Australia (NA) continue to make changes to the game with the hope that it will increase interest, but they are all just band aids to bigger issues. These novelty items will make it a farce, as well as detrimental to us as Australian representatives, if we are playing week-in, week-out under different rules to what are played under at INF-sanctioned events such as the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

"It’s frustrating as we’ve worked so hard with NA to have a voice and get a seat at the table…it’s infuriating really."

Weston maintains that not only is the introduction of the 'super shot' not favoured by the fans, but by the majority of the wider SSN playing group and coaching staff as well.

"The reason they didn’t do consultation on this rule change is because they knew they wouldn’t get a positive answer.

"This is the last thing teams need after all that’s happened so far this year. I mean it’s fine for the Vixens as we have long-range shooters, so it really doesn’t change too much for us, but what about other teams who don’t? To have it [the two-point shot] as a once off in the bushfire match is fine, but that was a one-off match when it was the Diamonds versus the best in the world."

"However, as disappointing as it is, the decision's been made now, so we've got to just get back to focusing on training and the job we've got to do as a team on court."

The revised Suncorp Super Netball season is due to begin in August 1, with a fixture to be released shortly.