Dubbo Netball Association, like almost every other around the state, has plans to start competitions in mid-July but uncertainty remains around when exactly players will be able to step on the court.
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Associations are still waiting for a clearcut go ahead from the NSW government and that lack of directive has led five of the state's biggest names in the sport to reach out to premier Gladys Berejiklian, imploring her to give the state the opportunity to return to return to the court.
The open letter, sent on Friday, is co-signed by Swifts captain Maddy Proud and coach Briony Akle, Giants counterparts Jo Harten and Julie Fitzgerald and Australian national captain Caitlin Bassett.
Netball NSW slashed its budget at the onset of the pandemic to remain viable, but the situation continues to adversely impact the entire netball community's regular sources of revenue, and operating costs continue to be incurred.
"The game is facing a financial crisis," the signatories said.
"Other states have provided financial assistance and a return to play date for sport, yet in NSW we have nothing.
"This is even harder to fathom given the Australian Institute of Sport has written the guidelines on how to reboot sport across the country.
"Netball NSW in a non-profit organisation. It was founded by brave, pioneering women for whom nothing came easy. Now we are fighting for survival. It must not be allowed to flounder through a situation not of its own making."
And while communities are returning to normality from a hospitality and educational standpoint, the feeling from the five players is that sports are being left behind.
"At a time when schools are back in session, pubs and restaurants are able to host up to 50 people and life looks like it is getting back to normal, community sport is high and dry without even a hint of when further information might be forthcoming."
"Netball NSW has done everything we can to this point. The onus is now on the State Government to fulfil their duty to 115,000 players in NSW and tell us when we can return to netball.
"We recognise that our problem is a shared on across most community sport. No one expects us to run competitions the same way we did in 2019. As it has been for generations, our game is willing to be innovative and flexible when it comes to approaching competition this year.
"The game's motto at this time is simple: no one gets left behind. Whether you play in the far reaches of regional NSW or in the centre of Sydney, the Netball NSW team is working tirelessly to ensure its plan allows for the viability of netball in all areas. We all want to get back on the court."
