The Australian Netball Players Association has rejected the idea that players have turned their backs on a $15 million deal with Hancock Prospecting.

Netball Australia’s chair has since stepped down as part of a “planned transition” as the national team deals with on-court defeats and off-court controversy.

The change comes with reports Diamonds players are boycotting uniforms with the logo of new sponsor Hancock Prospecting, the mining company of multibillionaire Gina Rinehart.

Volleyball Australia CEO Andrew Dee told Gareth Parker earlier on 6PR Breakfast that Hancock Prospecting had always supported the sport.

Kathryn Harby-Williams, CEO of the Australian Netball Players Association, told Liam Bartlett that the players are ‘walking the talk’.

“We’ve got an Indigenous member playing in The Diamonds for the first time in 25 years,” she said on 6PR Mornings.

“What your missing here is the players don’t want this arrangement to fall over, but they are in the middle of a test series,

“It’s an absolute circus at times with players given dresses just a couple of hours out from representing their country.”

Bartlett responded by saying that it hasn’t reflected well on the sport.

“Well, you’re right about it being a circus,” Bartlett responded

“When one player can have some sort of dictation over a $15 million sponsorship,

“It is a circus.”

Tap PLAY to hear the conversation between Bartlett and the Australian Netball Players Association CEO.