Super Netball: Governing body reports surplus at AGM, match previews and tips for upcoming round
Netball Australia is confident it is working back to financial health after posting a surplus once again, and reveals a timeline to pay down debt that once threatened to cripple the game. Read more including this weekend’s Super Netball preview.
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Netball Australia has recorded a second consecutive surplus as the sport continues to claw its way back to financial health after a tumultuous period that threatened the future of the game.
New chief executive Stacey West said strong game attendances and new commercial partnerships helped deliver a surplus of $235,657, the second in a row for the sport after outgoing CEO Kelly Ryan reported a $300,000 surplus last year.
West presented financial results to the sport’s member organisation presidents and chief executives at the annual general meeting in Melbourne on Thursday night.
While there was another surplus, the financials also showed no movement had been made on the sport’s bank debt of $4.2 million in the last financial year, which ended on December 31.
Already this year though, payments have started to be made, with the debt expected to be wiped by next year.
“Netball Australia has schedule of payments to repay the debt by August 2025,” West said.
“We are on track to hit that schedule.”
It’s a massive ray of sunlight for a sport that was on its knees financially just 18 months ago after two Covid-impacted years of competition where the Super Netball competition was forced into hubs around the country to ensure it could complete league matches in 2020 and 2021.
After a suite of blue chip sponsors were attracted last year, West said the strong positive momentum had continued in 2024, due in part to record attendances at Super Netball games and significant audience increases on Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now.
“The sport has stabilised and is now growing on all fronts as fans and commercial and government partners seek deeper engagement with the sport,” West said.
“The sport is building a strong position for long-term success and continued growth. We are committed to ensuring the sustainability of netball for future generations.”
Revenue was up 15 per cent year on year to $44.67 million and while debt remained at $4.2 million, the sport is well removed from reporting period two years ago when it was issued with a “going concern” notice by auditors.
During last year’s poisonous Super Netball pay war, NA leaders continued to argue the game was not in a financial position to offer players a pay rise, or engage in a revenue share arrangement - two things that were eventually signed off on late last year.
But West said the increasing number of companies seeking to partner with NA reinforced the growing interest in the sport.
Governments across Australia were also engaged with the game, while participation has grown to almost 1.2 million and the Diamonds are unchallenged world no.1, having won the World Cup, Quad Series, Constellation Cup and South Africa series in 2023.
NA chair Wendy Archer, who stepped down from that position at the AGM after announcing the move several months ago, said netball was building a strong and stable position to deliver an ambitious growth agenda.
“Chairing the Netball Australia Board has been a privilege and I look forward to staying on the board which has its sights firmly set on the opportunities that will help us to grow the sport,’’ Archer said.
“Netball Australia has championed, advocated and created pathways for women and girls to participate in sport, from grassroots to the elite, and welcomed other Australian sporting codes as they evolved and joined the movement.
“We continue to honour our heritage and celebrate the game’s positive impact for women and girls, whilst also wrapping our arms around a broader community seeking to be a part of our Netball Nation.’’
The board will meet soon to vote on a new chair for the organisation.
GAME PREVIEWS
Round 6
(All times AEST)
SATURDAY
Vixens v Lightning
John Cain Arena, Melbourne, 5pm
Broadcast: Kayo and Foxtel
Umpires: Jordan Kiss, Rachael Stebbings
Diamonds captain Liz Watson returns to Melbourne to take on her old club as a member of a Lightning side struggling for form and confidence. The side pegged as competition favourites in the pre-season has won just once this year, while the Vixens, who many believed could struggle in the post-Watson era, are flying high, unbeaten in the opening five rounds.
The match-ups on Watson will be captivating, with the world’s best wing attack likely to line up at centre for at least some of the match, where she could come up against great mate Kate Moloney. The season is on the line for the Lightning, who need to start stringing some wins together if they are to make the top four.
Fever v Thunderbirds
RAC Arena, Perth, 7pm
Broadcast: Kayo and Foxtel
Umpires: Tamara Buriani-Gennai, Georgina Sulley-Beales
The likely match of the round sees the unbeaten Fever hosting defending premiers the Thunderbirds in a key test for the Western Australians. Both teams were considered likely to struggle - at least early in the season - after losing several members of last year’s squads but both have hit the ground running to be among the league leaders. The match will feature six Jamaican players, with the Sunshine Girls’ head-to-head clashes likely to determine the outcome of the game. The Shamera Sterling-Jhaniele Fowler match-up alone is worth the price of admission, while the other members of the T-Birds’ outstanding defensive unit, Matilda Garrett and Latanya Wilson, also need to be on song if the Fever is to be shut down.
SUNDAY
Firebirds v Mavericks
Nissan Arena, Brisbane, 2pm
Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, Foxtel and SEN
Umpires: Nathan Begley, Rachael Ayre
Both teams are coming off major shellackings in round 5 and will want to rebound quickly to erase memories of efforts their coaches are likely to regard as not up to scratch. The Firebirds had been in almost every contest until last week and will have to be close to their best to stop an improving Mavs side.
The visitors missed spiritual leader Eleanor Cardwell last week and her ability to bounce back from an ankle injury that kept her out of last week’s game will be pivotal to their chances of success. This is a crucial game for both sides, who each have just a single win but can stay in touch with the top four with another victory on Sunday.
Swifts v Giants
Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney 4pm
Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, Foxtel and SEN
Umpires: Tayla Favell, Nicole Bullen
The Sydney derby is always a thrilling match regardless of either side’s position on the ladder but the Giants’ marked improvement last week and victory following the scoreboard fiasco against the Lightning, means they can claw their way to level with their great rivals with another win on Sunday. The Swifts have been up and down this season but maintain a top four spot despite losing a thriller to the unbeaten Vixens last week. They’ll be determined to get the upper hand in the battle for the Carol Sykes Trophy.
TIPS
LINDA PEARCE (16)
Vixens, Fever, Firebirds, Swifts.
Last week: 3
BIANCA CHATFIELD (15)
Vixens, Fever, Firebirds, Swifts.
Last week: 3
NAT MEDHURST (15)
Vixens, Thunderbirds, Mavericks, Swifts.
Last week: 2
LISA ALEXANDER (14)
Vixens, Fever, Firebirds, Swifts.
Last week: 3
ERIN SMITH (12)
Lightning, Fever, Firebirds, Swifts.
Last week: 3
EMMA GREENWOOD (10)
Lightning, Fever, Firebirds, Swifts.
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