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In the countdown to its centenary year in 2027, Netball Australia Chief Executive Stacey West has set out her long-term strategic vision for the sport to build community reach and achieve financial sustainability.

In an interview with Linda Pearce on the Netball Australia website, West, set out her vision, explaining that while she is early in her tenure as the sport’s Chief Executive she is already looking a decade down the road.

Advising of a shift from traditional three-year blueprints, stated “the sport is ready for a longer horizon.

“That allows the sport to have a bold focus for what we want to achieve, and how we go about it over the next 10 years.”

Netball Australia’s Board, executive and Member Organisations are undertaking the project with the support of corporate strategists Gemba, with West stressing that the Netball Australia Board will review it in December ahead of early-2025 implementation for “Netball in Australia”, not just the governing body, specifically.

The first horizon looms after the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.

The second, now in the consultation phase, will be the crucial legacy piece that results.

West, who started as interim Chief Executive in mid-December, before her appointment in May, explained “I want to make sure that we do leave a legacy.

“We have a participation base of over one million - so it’s continuing growth, but it’s also ensuring that our participants maintain their engagement and fulfilment within the sport.”

The health, community and leadership positives to that involvement are well-documented, but key growth areas remain through First Nations programs, other groups in the diversity space and the organically growing area of men and boys.

She notes “that’s a real point of difference: netball can cater for so many in Australia and has for women and girls for near on 100 years.

“So that is where our superpower is, and that’s what we’re going to try and amplify in this new plan.”

Meanwhile, a review into Suncorp Super Netball’s future and the opportunities ahead is being undertaken by former cricket executive Stephanie Beltrame with input from all major stakeholders following a record-breaking attendance season for an Australian women’s domestic league.

While many have reported an expanded Suncorp Super Netball League as inevitable with only 80 full-playing contracts plus training partner opportunities available across the eight teams currently and no cap on imports, West stresses that any change must be thoroughly considered and carefully managed.

Speaking about the world’s strongest domestic netball league, West comments “there is huge value in the opportunity to have the world’s best players in this country.

“It continues to drive the standard of the game to new heights, and this translates to both the Origin Australian Diamonds’ success, and the performances of other competing nations.  We need to keep ensuring that we do the best for Australian netball, too.

“So my guiding principle is growth; it’s about doing what’s best for the sport and our Australian netball talent pipeline. A lot of that will be determined over the next six months which is exciting.”

Looking forward to netball featuring in Commonwealth Games program at the smaller 2026 version in Glasgow, she goes on to say “netball is a highly-sought-after sport in the Commonwealth Games schedule, our ticket sales are strong, it’s attractive, it’s got fan appeal and broadcast appeal.

“Netball was introduced to the Commonwealth Games in 1998 and has been a key part of the event’s program ever since. We know netball fans turn up for this event and we are thrilled they will continue do so come 2026 in Glasgow”.

With the repayment of the governing body’s a focus, West concluded “the financial viability of this sport is really important and it’s our role to ensure that this sport continues for another 100 years.”

Images: Netball NT's volunteer program (top, credit: AIS) and Netball Australia Chief Executive Stacey West (below, credit: Joanna Margiolis).

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