Netball Australia says an investigation into the culture at the Queensland Firebirds could not substantiate Remi Kamo’s allegations from more than six months ago, with the players’ association expressing their disappointment with the process.

Former Firebirds defender Kamo, who will play at the Northern Stars in the New Zealand Premiership this season, spoke with ABC Sport in September about her tumultuous second year with the Queensland Super Netball club.

In a season where they narrowly avoided the wooden spoon, recording just four wins from 14 games, Kamo reported the toll the year had taken on her mental health as she played in what she felt was a “toxic environment”.

Kamo was the first Super Netball player to submit a formal complaint of this kind.

After an investigation, Netball Australia (NA) said her allegations against the club and its staff were not substantiated. 

NA chief executive Stacey West released a statement on Tuesday, saying the investigation could not find sufficient evidence to back up Kamo’s claims.

The statement said no further action would be taken towards the club or former head coach Bec Bulley, who departed midway through the 2024 season with five weeks still left to play. She is now back working in her former role as the head of the Giants Academy in Sydney.

“In August 2024, Netball Australia appointed an independent investigator to investigate complaints that alleged breaches of the Netball Australia code of conduct and member protection policy by Netball Queensland and members of its staff,” West said.

“This investigation has been completed, with the independent investigator finding that, based on the evidence considered, the allegations were not substantiated in relation to specific breaches of these codes and policies.

“No further action will be taken with respect to the allegations made.”

Despite the investigation findings, the sport’s governing body said it wishes to reiterate its expectations that all participants of the game would be treated fairly and with care, encouraging a speak-up culture.

To show its commitment to these principles, Netball Australia said it will:

“Continue to deliver ongoing education around bullying, harassment and cultural and psychological safety across all Super Netball clubs; and work with the Australian Netball Players Association and the clubs to improve awareness around our policies, how to lodge a concern, and the process by which concerns are considered.”

But this commitment as well as the outcome of the investigation has not satisfied the Australian Netball Players’ Association (ANPA).

Sources told ABC Sport the club and individuals being investigated were notified before Christmas that they had been cleared of any wrongdoing, while ANPA and the players waited for an update and were only informed in the past month.

The players’ association released its own statement on Tuesday a couple of hours later, expressing their support for the players and their disappointment with the findings.

“ANPA supports the players coming forward to raise safety concerns about their workplace,” ANPA chief executive Kathryn Harby-Williams said.

“Following notification of the outcome of Netball Australia’s findings, the players have repeatedly asked Netball Australia to provide a copy of the investigation report or alternatively a summary.

“Netball Australia has declined these requests.

“It is difficult for ANPA and the players to accept Netball Australia’s determination that there has been no breach of Netball Australia’s policies without this further detail.

“From our perspective, the matter is not yet closed and ANPA will continue to work with Netball Australia to reach an appropriate resolution for the players.”

All parties have expressed their desire to reach a resolution before the next Super Netball season starts in 11 days.