Netball Australia starts search for new Chief Executive

Netball Australia has commenced its search for a new Chief Executive to replace former postholder Marne Fechner, who left to join AusCycling at the end of last year.

Advising that it has launched a “global search” for the lead role, Netball Australia noted “with the sport poised for a new era of growth, the next CEO will have the opportunity to create significant impact from community netball to international competition.

“The new CEO will join a sport that is flourishing in several key areas. Netball is the number one participation sport in Australia and its elite competition, Suncorp Super Netball is the best in the world.

“The Origin Australian Diamonds are the world’s number one ranked team and a new broadcast and digital rights deal has created opportunities for innovation across the system.

“From this platform, the new CEO will be responsible for driving netball’s commercial, digital, media, participation and high performance outcomes to world-leading standards. They will also accept the challenge of defining and amplifying netball’s voice to ensure that the sport is part of the conversation on critical social issues.”

Explaining that the role is an incredible opportunity for a leader who values strong organisational culture, innovation and collaboration, Netball Australia Chair, Paolina Hunt stated “netball is in great shape, but we know we can be even better

‘’Our recent initiatives in governance reform, the new broadcast deal and growth in critical commercial, digital and participation metrics means our new CEO has an outstanding opportunity to make their mark.”

To find its new chief executive, at a time when other leading sports including Basketball Australia and Swimming Australia are doing the same, Netball Australia has engaged EgonZehnder to undertake the search.

Netball Australia’s current interim Chief Executive, Ron Steiner, who has 40 years of executive experience in sport and business, is reported to have previously said he will not be a candidate for the permanent role.

Suncorp Super Netball will also be searching for a new Chief Executive in 2021, after postholder Chris Symington announced his resignation from the role in December following two years in the top role.

Netball Australia is yet to reveal any information on when they will begin the search for a Symington’s replacement.

Also in netball, Netball Tasmania has confirmed it is seeking entry into the Super Netball competition, with an official bid process to begin targeting the 2023 season.

Netball Tasmania Chief Executive, Aaron Pidgeon, said the organisation believes the time is right following the approval of a multi-million-dollar indoor sports facility at the new Derwent Entertainment Centre.

Pidgen noted “the door’s open for us to put in a submission.

“We believe the modelling is right and we have a sustainable enough model to get us through at least the first four years of the licence period.

“Expansion isn’t our only avenue, we just need to put in the best submission we possibly can and if they believe that warrants an opportunity in the league, then we will be lucky enough to have a team.

“We’ve had this in our strategy in a little while, so we feel we’re ready to run a program, we feel we have the future talent, and we don’t want to wait until 2027.”

Click here for details of the vacancy.