Netball legend Liz Ellis has urged Australian sports administrators to “put systems in place” to help athletes better cope with their wellness concerns.
Ellis’ appeal comes after Matilda’s great Lisa De Vanna claimed she suffered abuse at the hands of other players during her 20-year career.
De Vanna, Australia’s second-highest scorer, earlier this week said he suffered sexual harassment, indecent assault, solicitation and bullying by senior players, in what he described as a toxic culture within the club. sport.
De Vanna’s comments were supported by former colleague Matilda Renaye Iserief, who backed up the initial comments by adding that “this toxic culture has been swept under the carpet for years.”
Ellis, the most capped player in Australian netball history, said she was sad to hear that De Vanna’s attempts to address her concerns were not taken seriously.
“It’s so disappointing to hear from an athlete like this,” Ellis told Nine’s Sports Sunday.
“My first response is that I feel really sad that their career – what should be the highlight of their career playing for Australia – these dark things are happening underneath.
“I don’t know if I could say I’m not surprised. I think you’re always surprised when you hear things like this, but my first thought was, ‘OK, what will the Aussie Association do about it?’ .
“I like what James Johnson did. He got to the front line early, but this is mitigated by the fact that there have been some allegations about Lisa De Vanna trying to get in touch with the council, trying to get meetings and failing. . “
The great of Matilda reveals the “toxic culture”
Ellis said the “biggest accusation” was that De Vanna had to “go nuclear” with his claims.
“The general thing that the sports community needs to understand and that sports administrators need to consider is the fact that they have to put systems in which athletes can come and talk to them. Where athletes feel their well-being is taken care of,” he said. said Ellis.
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“I think the biggest accusation is the fact that Lisa De Vanna felt she had no choice but to go nuclear and put herself in a rather uncomfortable situation.
“Unfortunately it was attacked online … you want to make sure as a sports organization that you have the components in place for the athlete’s confidence. I think it’s still missing.”
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