Netballers look to period of stability and growth with sport’s new leaders

Australia’s netballers want to engage the sport’s new leaders as key stakeholders as the game looks to heal the wounds of last year’s bitter pay war.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 21: Maddy Turner of the Swifts celebrates victory during the round two Super Netball match between NSW Swifts and Melbourne Mavericks at Ken Rosewall Arena, on April 21, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Australian netball’s peak player body says its members are looking forward to working with the sport’s new leadership after a period of bitter infighting.

After Liz Ellis was appointed chair of the Netball Australia board last Friday, the sport has a pair of new leaders following the announcement a week earlier that interim chief executive Stacey West would take on the CEO’s role full-time.

Super Netball players were involved in a poisonous and protracted pay war with NA last year that irreparably wounded the relationship between the previous leadership and the playing group.

Liz Ellis was named as the Netball Australia chair last week. Photo: Network 10

The resignation of former boss Kelly Ryan late last year, as well as board turnover after her departure that included former chair and Marina Go and deputy chair John O’Sullivan showed players change was on the way, while Go’s replacement Wendy Archer decided to step down as chair at last week’s AGM but remains on the board.

Super Netball players were key drivers in forcing change, refusing to yield in a pay fight they saw as key for maintaining netball’s position as Australia’s preferred sport for women and girls.

While there is a massive base to the pyramid - more than a million people engaged with the sport last year - there are just 80 full-time professional positions and Super Netball is in a pitched battle for the next generation of elite female sporting talent.

But players feel like the recent changes at head office mean they will be seen as genuine stakeholders in the game who are invested in seeing it succeed and grow.

NSW Swifts defender Maddy Turner, a club delegate who was among those to speak out during last year’s pay war, said there was an excitement about the direction the sport could now head.

Stacey West announced as the new CEO of Netball Australia at the State Sport Centre Parkville, Melbourne. Photo: Joanna Margiolis, Netball Australia

“Obviously, sometimes change can be scary but I feel like netball has been behind the eight ball in that a little bit so I feel like it’s our time to run with it and see what change can bring us,” Turner said.

“It doesn’t have to be a bad thing, it can be a really exciting new thing.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing where it goes.”

Turner said the players’ resolve last year had been for the future of the sport rather than their own pay packets.

“For me, my ‘why’ and why I play netball is I want to leave the sport in a better place,” she said.

“I feel like there’s a lot of players that will resonate with that.

“That’s really important and I feel like this (new leadership) is a step in that direction and I’m looking forward to seeing where it can go because obviously the next few years are critical in this space.

Maddy Turner in action for the Swifts. Photo: Getty Images

“There’s lots of sports competing for the same market and netball’s previously been on the front foot of that but in recent times, not so much.

“So I feel like it’s our time to come out and strike now and build something really special with the game.”

Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA) chief executive Kathryn Harby-Williams said the players’ body was committed to working with the new leadership for the continued success of the game.

“We’re delighted in the combination of leadership that we’ve got at the helm and will be helping them develop a strategic vision for this great game,” Harby-Williams, a former Diamonds captain, said.

“The players look forward to working with Stacy and Liz to maximise the potential of the sport in this highly competitive market.

“Given their extensive backgrounds in all levels of netball, from grassroots to high performance levels, it’s terrific to be led by people who deeply understand this game.

Australian Netball Players Association boss Kathryn Harby-Williams says her organisation is looking forward to working closely with the new NA leadership. Photo: Getty Images

“Our players are outstanding assets for the sport and they are excited and energised to engage with the leadership to set ambitious goals for netball and pursue them with passion.”

Before handing the baton to Ellis, Archer underlined the significant relationship the players and headquarters would share into the future in her message in NA’s annual report.

“The Australian Netball Players’ Association is a key stakeholder that has a significant contribution to make to the future success of our sport,” Archer wrote.

“The landmark player pay deal achieved late in 2023 sets the game up for a period of true collaboration where we can pool our passion for the game.”

But she also called for healing.

“Now more than ever, unity across the sport is required and will be a critical driver of success for netball,” Archer said.

“Our future relies on all stakeholders coming together for the betterment of the sport.”

Originally published as Netballers look to period of stability and growth with sport’s new leaders