Club Statement following NSL Competition Committee's Decision

NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball have received the verdict of the NSL Competition Committee, which has confirmed the appeal by the club has been reviewed and the outcome is that the result of the Round 8 game between NIC Leeds Rhinos against Birmingham Panthers will stand.

The basis of NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball’s appeal was on the club’s understanding during the live game that the goal scored by NIC Leeds Rhinos player Joyce Mvula in Q4 with 35 seconds remaining on the clock was scored within the ‘Super Shot’ area and the scoreboard in the venue reflected this, therefore Leeds did not dispute the decision to award it as a one goal point. The on-court decision, made in a real time, by both umpires was that the shot was a 1 point shot, and the on-court decision will stand.

Leeds also asked the Committee to acknowledge that this impacted the subsequent decision to go for a one-point option in the final play of the game, as this would have given the Rhinos victory, despite having an opportunity to take a Super Shot.  It was only after this final goal was scored that the scoreboard in the stadium was changed to reflect a different scoreline, giving NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball no time to appeal, despite communication with match officials on the day and prior to extra- time being played.

Dan Busfield, Franchise Director for NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball,  said: “Although we are disappointed with the verdict, we do accept that the Competition Committee within the NSL Regulations Handbook does not permit the review of match footage to change or amend a match outcome or umpire decision.

“NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball welcome the Committee’s commitment to have a further follow-up to address the issue of the in-venue score, to ensure there is a clear understanding between teams and officials on any discrepancies in such circumstances.

“We appreciate the challenging role of the game’s umpires and also the technical officials, who are volunteers, and understand the difficult job they have in high-pressure situations, and this appeal was not targeted at any individual, but rather a series of incidents that resulted in the decision to take the game into extra time.

“The introduction of the ‘Super Shot’ this season has brought an exciting new element to our competition; however, given how it can change the outcomes of games at vital periods, as it was designed to do, further developments are needed to ensure the integrity of results is paramount.  We hope as part of this review and, in line with other elite sports, that consideration in due course is made to make video replays available to support officials and ensure scoreline confusion like this does not happen again, and all stakeholders in the game can have confidence that the right decision is concluded on the day.  In the meantime, we would also welcome a clearer outline of the appeal procedure during the game to be given to clubs.

"Our focus now turns to our Netball Super League game against Loughborough Lightning on Saturday.”