Australian netballer Sarah Klau has been sanctioned by the sport's governing body after pleading guilty to assault and failing to disclose the charges prior to the Commonwealth Games.
asserted
Klau → sanction → Games
Following an investigation into the incident over the past couple of weeks, Netball Australia has handed Klau a $5,000 fine and a two-game ban that is wholly suspended for 12 months.
asserted
that → follow → months
The goalkeeper will also be required to complete additional education.
asserted
goalkeeper → require → education
Klau breached the sport's code of conduct by failing to behave in a professional manner while in public and engaging in conduct that could bring the game into disrepute.
uncertain
that → breach → disrepute
In a statement, Netball Australia said it took into consideration Klau's "individual circumstances and her otherwise exemplary personal history", as well as her apology to the victim and venue, but the seriousness of the charge and breach of standards warranted formal disciplinary action.
asserted
seriousness → say → action
Chief executive Mark Falvo described it as "a significant but momentary lapse in judgement … that has been mitigated by her otherwise excellent character".
asserted
that → describe → character
This means Klau will still be eligible for selection in the Constellation Cup.
asserted
Klau → mean → Cup
The Australian squad set to face New Zealand in a four-game bilateral series in October will be announced in the coming days.
asserted
squad → face → days
This is believed to be the first time a Super Netballer and national team member has been in trouble with the law, and the decision now sets a precedent for the sport at the elite level.
asserted
decision → believe → level
Klau fronted Sydney's Downing Centre Courthouse in early September facing a common assault charge from June 7, when she allegedly kicked a security guard in the back outside a pub.
uncertain
she → front → pub
The 31-year-old reportedly attended a Sydney Swans AFL match before arriving at the Paddington Inn and retaliated when she was denied entry due to being too intoxicated.
uncertain
she → attend → entry
This took place a day after Klau was ruled out of the NSW Swifts' penultimate game of the Super Netball season to manage an ongoing leg injury.
asserted
Klau → take → injury
The assault shocked the netball community and was dubbed "out of character" by many who know Klau.
asserted
who → shock → Klau
The charges were laid five weeks after the incident, right before Klau departed with the national team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
asserted
Klau → lay → Glasgow
Netball Australia's investigation aimed to determine whether the veteran knew about the charges before she left.
asserted
she → aim → charges
There is a possibility that she was notified in writing at her Sydney address while in camp in Melbourne, then flew straight to Scotland to compete completely unaware.
asserted
she → be → Scotland
Klau has played 67 caps for her country and has been a mainstay in the squad since her international debut in 2019.
asserted
Klau → play → 2019
Despite being hampered by injury throughout the recent Super Netball season, Klau was still named and made her second appearance at the tournament, albeit with limited court time.
asserted
Klau → hamper → time
The Diamonds won bronze after defeating England 68-50 in the medal matches.
asserted
Diamonds → win → matches
Klau then spent time abroad on holiday before returning home and fronting court.
asserted
Klau → spend → court
Following the investigation, Netball Australia would not disclose the timeline of events but confirmed it did not find out about the incident until she returned home and before the court appearance on September 3.
asserted
she → follow → September
Commonwealth Games Australia's (CGA) athletes must agree to their ethical by-laws, which state that an athlete cannot engage in any conduct — whether publicly known or not — that brings the relevant person's sport into disrepute.
asserted
that → agree → disrepute
The behaviour policies also outline that an athlete must not deliberately withhold information in relation to any possible prohibited conduct and is expected to notify the CEO or CGA President of any potential breach.
asserted
athlete → outline → breach
When contacted by ABC Sport, CGA said it was aware of the court proceedings but was waiting on the findings of Netball Australia's investigation before determining any impact they may have on Klau's relationship with the Australian CGA team.
uncertain
they → contact → team
Jessie Grenvold earned her first call-up for the side and travelled as a reserve.
asserted
Grenvold → earn → reserve
Had all of this come to light, Grenvold could have taken Klau's place in the line-up.
uncertain
Grenvold → come → up
The question now is whether she will be able to retain her position in the national line-up for next year's Netball World Cup in Sydney.
asserted
she → retain → Sydney
Importantly, Klau has avoided a conviction, likely due to her status as a Diamonds player, as the judge said it would be a "terrible setback" to "everything you have achieved".
"
asserted
you → avoid → everything
It's always such a shame to see fabulous sports men and women compromise themselves, really, on nights out," the judge said during sentencing according to NewsCorp.
uncertain
judge → see → NewsCorp
"In any event alcohol and violence tend to be a great leveller, it doesn't matter who you are.
"
asserted
you → tend → event
This is an opportunity that is being offered to you once."
asserted
that → offer → you
Two years ago, the NSW Swifts parted ways mid-season with long-time player Sam Wallace-Joseph due to behavioural issues that happened internally and were never publicly disclosed.
asserted
that → part → issues
Considering the nature of these charges, the guilty plea and the timing of the incident while Klau was in season and supposed to be resting a leg injury, fans thought the club would also make an example of this incident.
asserted
club → consider → incident
Instead, it appears Klau has missed out on a penalty entirely in club land.
asserted
Klau → appear → land
The Swifts re-signed their long-standing two-time premiership player for a fifth season as she awaited trial and defended her in a statement.
asserted
she → re → statement
"Netball NSW can confirm that Sarah Klau has had a matter heard before the Local Court dismissed without conviction," a spokesperson said.
asserted
spokesperson → confirm → conviction
"Netball NSW takes the behavioural standards of its athletes and staff seriously.
asserted
NSW → take → athletes
"Sarah has been an exemplary role model in the NSW Swifts environment for 10 years and the club will continue to provide her with support."
asserted
club → continue → support
The Aporia