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April 29, 2021 by Ben Lang

Storm join Social Media Boycott

 

Surrey Storm will stand with England Netball and the wider sporting community by taking part in a social media boycott from 3pm on Friday 30th April to 11:59pm on Monday 3rd May.

By joining this boycott, we want to help amplify the message that social media companies must do more to eradicate discriminatory abuse and harassment on their platforms.

Storm fans wishing to receive the latest news and updates can visit our website which will still be updated throughout the duration of this social media blackout.

Please note, our games against Celtic Dragons and Severn Stars will no longer be streamed on YouTube, and they will instead both be televised on Sky Sports Mix while also streamed on the Sky Sports app and Sky Sports website.

Fran Connolly, CEO of England Netball, commented: “Social media can be a great tool to connect with our Netball Family, reach new audiences and tell our stories, but social media can also sadly be used to spread abuse of players and others involved in our sport.  We have heard from elite players and people involved at all levels of our sport who have experienced abuse on social media and it has no place in our game or society.  We stand with football and the wider sporting community and believe social media companies can and should do more to prevent this.

“Online abuse in netball will not be tolerated, and it is vital that we play our part in keeping our channels a positive space, free from hate and abuse. We are proud to be involved in this social media boycott and as part of our social media and code of conduct policies urge those involved in our sport to stand against online abuse and harassment to protect everyone in our game and make a change together.”

Liz Bloor, Director of the Netball Players Association said: “The rising profile of netball’s elite athletes has been welcomed but regrettably this has brought with it incidents of abusive, derogatory and racist online comments aimed at some of our members. In supporting this boycott of the social media platforms, we hope that the companies concerned will follow through on their stated position that this is not acceptable and take robust action against the perpetrators. Sport should be a positive and inspiring environment for the athletes, officials and fans alike.”

Click HERE to read the full statement from England Netball and the Netball Players Association.

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