Kate Carpenter. Photo / Archive
Sacked netball coach Kate Carpenter has privately settled her Employment Relations Authority case against the Central Pulse and Netball New Zealand (NNZ).
Carpenter was dismissed earlier this month just one year into her three-year contract as the financially troubled trans-Tasman netball league franchise underwent a controversial overhaul for
the 2009 season.
Carpenter's lawyer Megan Richards said last week that Carpenter had cause for unjustified dismissal and would take her case to the Employment Relations Authority.
A brief statement from Carpenter today confirmed the employment matter had been resolved, but declined to comment on the terms agreed.
Richards told NZPA today she was unable to comment further on the agreement.
Carpenter was left with little prospect of finding other work immediately in professional netball, Richards said last week.
"Even if she was going to look for another job, they're very few and far between. Even in New Zealand, there aren't that many."
In today's statement, Carpenter said she was disappointed not to have the opportunity to lead the team for a second year.
"We were excited about the group we were putting together and confident we would have been competitive and able to build the foundations laid this year," the former Singapore coach said.
Carpenter said she was committed to developing and strengthening netball in the Central region.
"So I hope the Pulse board and Netball New Zealand upholds that commitment to the players and the public. This region deserves to get it right.
"Personally, the choice I made didn't work out the way I thought it would. But it's time to look ahead. I have a couple of options that I'll consider while enjoying the summer."
Pulse chairman Nigel Kirkpatrick has said that the franchise sought a financial bailout from NNZ to tide it over for the 2009 season.
Kirkpatrick could not be reached for comment today, but said in the statement that the board was pleased to have been able to reach a settlement after "a difficult time" for everyone involved.
He said being financially prudent was imperative in such challenging economic times if the board wanted to ensure the Pulse remained in the trans-Tasman league this year and beyond.
"The Board wishes Kate well for her future endeavours," Kirkpatrick said.
- NZPA
