Indigenous netball star Donnell Wallam shares ‘disgusting’ letter after sponsorship controversy (2024)

Warning: This article contains language some readers may find offensive

Indigenous netball star Donnell Wallam has revealed a “disgusting” letter she received attacking her over the Netball Australia sponsorship drama.

The Queensland Firebirds player found herself at the centre of a controversy in 2022 when, prior to her first game with the Australian Diamonds national team, she refused to wear the uniform featuring the logo of Gina Rinehart’s Hanco*ck Prospecting, over racist comments made by her late father, mining magnate Lang Hanco*ck, in the 1980s suggesting Aboriginal people should be sterilised.

Australia’s richest person then dramatically tore up her $15 million sponsorship deal with Netball Australia, which had been set to run until the end of 2025. The move caught netball officials off-guard and came after players had ultimately agreed to wear the logo.

Just over a week after the contract was pulled, Netball Australia signed a $15 million sponsorship deal with Visit Victoria, currently running until the end of 2027.

Wallam, 30, a Noongar woman from Western Australia who became the first Indigenous player in more than 20 years to represent Australia when she made her international debut for the Diamonds, shared a photo on Wednesday night of hate mail she received about the controversy, from a woman named “Mary”.

Indigenous netball star Donnell Wallam shares ‘disgusting’ letter after sponsorship controversy (1)

The letter posted to Instagram includes a mocking imitation of an Indigenous Acknowledgement of Country paying “respects to British and European elders”.

“As if the hate online wasn’t enough, Mary thought she’d send me a letter,” the netballer wrote. “I’m beyond disgusted and hurt but I will never stop advocating for my people. Blak, Loud and Proud. ALWAYS”

The letter accuses Wallam of “being influenced by radical Aboriginals”.

“I am writing to you to express my sadness that your [sic] cost the Australian Diamonds, of $15,000,000, caused by your radically influenced comments about Gina Rinehart’s father, Lang Hanco*ck,” it reads.

“Mr Hanco*ck’s comments about serialisation [sic] of Aboriginals was disgusting and made by one man. However, at the time his daughter was not yet born as you were not yet born. You were influenced by the nasty activist Aboriginal clique that hates everything Australia. You fell into their spell and caused such loss of donations to Australia Netball. Hang your head in shame girl, for being manipulated by the radical Aboriginal filth.”

Mary adds that she went to school in Perth “and had many good Noongar friends that I still love today”.

“You are a disgrace to the Noongar Tribe,” she wrote. “I will never watch you play, ever.”

Indigenous netball star Donnell Wallam shares ‘disgusting’ letter after sponsorship controversy (2)

She finishes the letter by telling Wallam to “think about this”, adding a mock Acknowledgement of Country that reads, “I acknowledge and pay my respects to the British and European elders past and present, who introduced civil society and prosperity to Australia.”

She adds, “I salute and pay homage to Lieutenant James Cook FRS, who claimed Australia for the British Crown in 1770 and Admiral Arthur Phillip, who in 1788 as Governor of New South Wales, established Australia’s first civilisation, which has since developed to become the most tolerant and generous civilisation on the face of the Globe. God Bless Australia and protect it and its unique culture from politicians and those who would attempt to destroy it.”

Wallam’s supporters slammed the letter as “disgusting”.

“You are such an inspiration for so many, I am completely disgusted but sadly not shocked, what an absolute piece of s**t this woman is,” one wrote.

“I will defs be watching your next game to support you,” another said. “Sounds like Mary’s loss!”

A third wrote, “You’re such a strong, staunch role model for all of us.”

Indigenous netball star Donnell Wallam shares ‘disgusting’ letter after sponsorship controversy (3)

Speaking to News Corp last year, Wallam described how the sponsorship controversy had taken its toll on her.

“It was really difficult,” she said. “I’m just so grateful that the girls in the Diamonds environment and the staff all had my back.”

But Wallam said she was proud of sticking to her guns.

“My dad was part of the Stolen Generation,” she said.

“So it hits home when stuff like [Lang Hanco*ck’s comments] are out there. I’m always going to be an advocate for my family and my mob.”

Wallam was named the NAIDOC Sportsperson of the Year in 2023.

Just prior to the October 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum, Wallam took to Instagram to announce she was supporting the Yes vote.

“I’ve been holding off on sharing my stance on the voice, purely and selfishly to protect my mental health from the racist comments I now open myself up to, but I firmly believe I must use my platform for those I represent,” she wrote.

Alongside a photo of her younger self with her hand painted in the colours of the Aboriginal flag, Wallam said, “I will be voting Yes. Yes to being recognised. Yes to being included. Yes to being heard. Yes to being seen beyond my sporting ability. Yes to a better future for our mob.”

Netball Australia said in a statement that the entire netball community “who are deeply committed to inclusion and equality stand together with Donnell Wallam to call out the disgusting racial abuse directed at our champion player by a member of the public”.

“Donnell is a proud Noongar woman and an ambassador for all First Nations people and our sport,” the statement said.

More Coverage

Star reveals Voice stance despite ‘racists’Matthew Sullivan

Two sickening words behind $15m scandalStaff writers

“We applaud and admire her strength, her courage and her dignity in the face of such hate. Netball Australia and Netball Queensland are committed to First Nations inclusion in our great game. We all have zero tolerance of racism and all forms of personal abuse.”

frank.chung@news.com.au

— with Matthew Sullivan

Indigenous netball star Donnell Wallam shares ‘disgusting’ letter after sponsorship controversy (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fredrick Kertzmann

Last Updated:

Views: 5655

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fredrick Kertzmann

Birthday: 2000-04-29

Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204

Phone: +2135150832870

Job: Regional Design Producer

Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games

Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.