Super Netball has reached an agreement with the Players' Association over pay ©Getty Images

Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) and the Australian Netball Players’ Association (ANPA) has announced a reduction in player pay for the next five weeks to help the league tackle the impact of coronavirus.

Players will take two weeks' leave from club duties from March 30, it was announced by Australia's major netball league.

Players will remain at home on “active rest” for seven hours per week for the following three weeks, with a 70 per cent reduction of pay.

The agreement follows confirmation from the Super Netball League Commission that the start of the season had been postponed until at least June 30.

A review of this date will be completed by late May.

“These are difficult and unprecedented times, not only in netball, but right across the world,” Chris Symington, SSN chief executive, said.

“In a less than ideal situation, our players have shown maturity and understanding throughout these discussions and we’re pleased to have reached an outcome for the near future.

“The league has put measures in place to ensure that all players have wellbeing support during this time, and, over the next five weeks, we will have further discussions with the ANPA to determine any further changes to conditions that might need to be made.”

ANPA chief executive Kathryn Harby-Williams said the players recognised the impact of the coronavirus and admitted the reduction in pay would be “severely felt” by players.

Players will take two weeks leave and three weeks on
Players will take two weeks leave and three weeks on "active rest" with reduced pay ©Getty Images

“Our sport is not immune," Harby-Williams said.

“Over the past few days we have endured some of our most difficult times when faced with the harsh reality of an uncertain future.

“We fully understand we need to play our role to enable netball to get through these bleak times, hence we have agreed to take a pay cut.

“Our game has worked really hard to continue to increase the minimum wage and allow players to be contracted for 12-month periods, but the brutal truth is that our minimum wage is $30,000 per annum and this pay reduction will be severely felt.

“However, we know we are not alone and many others throughout our community are suffering.

“On a positive note, the players feel well supported and are particularly grateful that the sport has introduced a wellbeing taskforce to help them through this extraordinary period.

“We look forward to getting to the other side to do what we do best – and that is play the game we love.”

SSN said it was working with its partners to explore potential employment opportunities which may supplement players' income during this period.

The league confirmed club training partners will have their 2020 payments honoured in full.