Netball Australia advises of surplus driven by revenue growth

Netball Australia has announced that strong game attendance and new commercial partnerships have helped it deliver an operating surplus in 2023 while also advised of a timeline for its debt repayments.

Strengthening its financial position  while also growing the game, results showing the second successive year of revenue growth for the organisation have been presented to member organisation presidents and chief executives at tonight’s Annual General Meeting.

Advising that the strong positive momentum has continued in 2024, with record attendances at Suncorp Super Netball games and significant audience increases on Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now, newly appointed Netball Australia Chief Executive, Stacey West stated “the sport has stabilised and is now growing on all fronts as fans and commercial and government partners seek deeper engagement with the sport.

“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.”

The 2023 financial results revealed Netball Australia delivered a surplus of $235,657.

Revenue was up 15% year on year to $44.67 million and debt remained at $4.2 million.

West (pictured below) said the increasing number of companies seeking to partner with Netball Australia reinforced the growing interest in netball. Governments across Australia were also engaged with the game, highlighting its appeal to all Australians.

She also highlighted that participation in the game continues to grow to almost 1.2 million, while the Origin Australian Diamonds conquered the world to win the Netball World Cup in South Africa and all tournaments contested throughout the year - the Netball Quad Series, Constellation Cup and the South Africa Series.

Netball Australia Chair Wendy Archer, who announced several months ago that she would be stepping down as Chair at the AGM, said netball was building a strong and stable position to deliver an ambitious growth agenda in coming years.

Archer noted “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.

“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.

The Board will meet soon to vote on a new Chair for the organisation.

Australian Leisure Management has also learned that former Netball Australia Chief Executive Kelly Ryan has been named Chief Executive of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.