Kelly Ryan opens up on ‘sleepless nights’ before quitting as NA CEO

Kelly Ryan has opened up about the “sleepless nights”, secret meetings and scuppered $15 million sponsorship deal that marked the beginning of the end of her tumultuous tenure as Netball Australia boss.

Kelly Ryan has opened up about the “sleepless nights”, secret meetings and scuppered $15 million sponsorship deal that marked the beginning of the end of her tumultuous tenure as Netball Australia boss.

Ryan was appointed CEO of netball’s governing body in mid-2021.

The former AFL executive quit at the end of last year’s messy pay dispute, which dragged on into December as the players’ union and NA repeatedly butted heads during Super Netball’s off-season.

Ryan’s relationship with players was strained during the Hancock Prospecting sponsorship saga, when the sport made unwanted headlines in 2022.

Former Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan opened up about her last few months in the role. Picture: Getty Images

The mining company, owned by billionaire Gina Rinehart, offered a $15m lifeline to the debt-riddled sport then walked away after significant player backlash against the sponsorship.

Shooter Donnell Wallam objected to wearing the company logo because of comments that Lang Hancock, founder of the firm and Gina’s father, made in 1984 about Indigenous people.

Teammates rallied around Wallam, a Noongar woman who had yet to make her Diamonds debut at that stage. The national team ultimately agreed to don the logo, but Hancock’s offer was withdrawn.

Ryan, speaking publicly for the first time since departing NA, addressed the damaging episode in depth at this week’s Forbes Australia Women’s Summit.

“It was many, many sleepless nights,” Ryan says in a report on Forbes Australia, describing it as “by far the toughest period” of her professional life.

“No one signs up for the media scrutiny when they sign up for a role like this. But you learn pretty quick that it’s a part of it.

“I didn’t feel it as much as I think my family felt it. I just didn’t consume the media, but my partner did, she read absolutely everything.”

Hancock Prospecting chair Mrs Gina Rinehart in 2023.

Ryan suggested it had been hard to talk to the team directly, prompting her to fly to New Zealand and book into the squad’s hotel without telling them.

“I had a lot of one-on-one conversations with the captains, trying to understand which direction they wanted to go, how they needed to be supported, and how I needed them to support what we were trying to do,” she said.

“They were great at trying to listen and learn, and they were in a position that they’ve never been in before and again, nor had any other sporting leaders.”

Kelly Ryan, speaking publicly for the first time since departing NA, addressed the damaging episode in depth at this week’s Forbes Australia Women’s Summit. Picture: Getty Images

Ryan claimed it wasn’t the sole issue that prompted Hancock to walk away from netball, also addressing why she resigned as CEO.

“I just didn’t want to keep working in netball anymore,” Ryan said.

“I’d done everything I could to try and progress the sport. I started questioning how much the sport wanted to change and grow.”

Netball’s governing body remains in a state of upheaval, needing to find a new CEO and chair as the sport gears up for the start of Super Netball season.

Ryan’s exit was followed by the departure of NA directors Marina Go, John O’Sullivan and Jane Seawright. Wendy Archer announced last week she was stepping down as chair.

Originally published as Kelly Ryan opens up on ‘sleepless nights’ before quitting as NA CEO