Record crowds drive third successive surplus for Netball Australia

Record crowds and rising broadcast audiences have helped drive Netball Australia to its third consecutive operating surplus. 

Netball Australia’s full year financial results for the year ended 31st December 2024 - published in its latest Annual Report - show an operating surplus of $650,883 for the year - up from 2023’s surplus of $235,657. The year also saw the sport again reduce its debt - by $1.2 million over the 12 months - putting it on track to clear the debt by 2027. 

Netball Australia Chief Executive, Stacey West said the strong result was driven by the continuing growth of Suncorp Super Netball and rising popularity of the world champion Origin Australian Diamonds, explaining “in 2024, Suncorp Super Netball showed why it is the world’s biggest and best netball league, and we expect to build on this success in 2025.

“Across 14 rounds of the 2024 competition and finals series, 366,222 spectators walked through the gates of venues across Australia, delivering not only a 25% increase on 2023 crowds, but the title of the most attended female league in Australian sporting history. 

“Suncorp Super Netball also attracted the highest average crowd in Australian women’s sport, with an average of 6097 fans attending each match - up from 5069 in 2023.” 

West advised that said 2024 was also the best performing Suncorp Super Netball season of all time on Kayo and Foxtel, and the third consecutive year of record-breaking audience growth for these channels. The 2024 season was up 18% year on year, with an average audience of 57,000 per match. 

Looking to the future, West said that following three years of stronger financial results Netball Australia has strengthened its balance sheet and will be looking to make new investments to drive future growth, adding “netball’s fan base participation is growing strongly, and we are near completion in developing a 10-year strategy to ensure that growth continues which will drive successful commercial outcomes. 

“Hosting the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia presents the sport with a huge opportunity for new generations of fans to fall in love with the game. Importantly, it is also the event which delivers the investment to drive our game forward over the next four-year cycle and deliver Netball across our regions from the community to the elite. 

“We are absolutely committed to making sure Netball Australia is in the best position to take advantage of the World Cup and we are investing in the game to deliver on that goal.”

On the court Netball Australia and its member organisations have also collaborated to develop a new National Participation Plan to drive participation and community engagement.

Liz Ellis reappointed as Netball Australia Chair
Following the game’s Annual General Meeting, Liz Eliis was reappointed as Netball Australia Chair for her second year while Gabbi Stubbs was appointed as Deputy Chair while two new Directors joined the Board.

Vivek Bhatia commences as an appointed Director for a three-year term.

Bhatia has extensive corporate and governance experience as senior director across multiple roles in the financial services and insurance industries. While at QBE, he was actively involved in netball through QBE’s sponsorship of the NSW Swifts and their partnership with Netball New South Wales on the QBE Swifts Academy.

Louise Eyres commences as an elected Director, also for a three-year term. Eyres is a Non-Executive Director with extensive expertise in commercial, customer, marketing and digital strategy as the Chief Marketing Officer in ASX, global mutual and member-based organisations as well as in Federal Government agencies, including the Australian Sports Commission.

Her connection with netball began during her role as Chief Marketing Officer at ANZ where she delivered ANZ’s sponsorship of the former Trans-Tasman Netball league and its decade partnership with netball across all levels of the sport. 

The AGM also represented the completion of the term of Wendy Archer on the Netball Australia board.

Acknowledging contribution to the game over many decades, Ellis stated “Wendy has been an icon of our game. As the former Chair of Netball Australia, and a Director since 2018, she has led us through many challenges and opportunities.

“Wendy has selflessly dedicated much of her life to netball. Her involvement started at the grassroots in Sydney and Port Stephens, and she has excelled as an Umpire and Administrator.

“Her services to Netball have also been recognised through her awards as a Member of the Order of Australia following her contribution as a Director on the NSW Board of Directors.”

Images: Suncorp Super Netball attracted the highest average crowds in Australian women’s sport in 2024 (top), Stacey West (middle, credit: Joanna Margiolis) and Liz Ellis (below, credit: Netball Australia).