Member v Netball New South Wales (with Netball Australia)

Pursuant to clause 15.5.1.3(A) of Netball Australia's Conduct and Disciplinary Policy (Policy), the Applicant, a member of a club committee (the Committee Member) appealed the decision of an Internal Hearing Tribunal (Internal Tribunal), convened by the Respondent, Netball New South Wales (NNSW).

The Internal Tribunal found that the Committee Member breached clause 2.1.2 of Netball Australia's Member Protection Policy.

The sanctions applied by the Internal Tribunal were that the Committee Member:

• be suspended from holding membership during the period of 10 June 2025 and 8 July 2025; and
• complete a 'Play by the Rules' online harassment and discrimination module.

At the time of NST proceedings, the sanctions were served and completed by the Committee Member. The matter was validated on 10 July 2025, and determined on 11 September 2025.

The Committee Member appealed the decision of the Internal Tribunal on two grounds prescribed at clause 15.4.1 of the Policy, namely:

• that the Internal Tribunal failed to abide by the Policy, and such failure resulted in a denial of natural justice (first appeal ground); and
• no reasonable decision maker in the position of the Internal Tribunal, based on the material before them, could reasonably make such a decision (second appeal ground). 

The NST Member considered submissions and evidence from the Parties, relevant Netball Australia policies, previous NST General Division determinations, and common law focused on the relevant grounds of appeal sought by the Committee Member.

The appeal was dismissed, as the NST Member found that the Internal Tribunal correctly applied the Policy during its process, and based on the evidence before it, reasonably made its finding and sanctions outlined above.