In a recent development, Netball Australia’s CEO, Kelly Ryan, has announced her resignation. This move comes shortly after the organization successfully navigated an agreement to resolve a protracted pay dispute.
The disagreement over pay in Australia’s Super Netball League has been ongoing since the expiration of the previous contract in September, leaving players unpaid. The situation escalated to the point where Kathryn Harby-Williams, a former Diamonds captain, disclosed that some players were forced to sleep in their cars due to financial difficulties.
Ryan, reflecting on her decision, stated, “Now is the appropriate time to pass the leadership baton.” She highlighted her achievements during her tenure, including navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, enhancing the national competition’s growth, boosting participation in netball, and fortifying the sport’s financial health.
Stacey West, currently the Executive General Manager for Performance at Netball Australia, has been named the interim CEO.
The recently brokered deal includes an 11% salary increase for players and a larger portion of the competition’s revenue.
Australia’s netball team, a powerhouse in the sport, boasts a record of 12 World Cup victories and four Commonwealth gold medals. Their domestic league, notable for being the world’s only fully professional netball league, draws top-tier players globally.
Yet, the unresolved pay dispute has hindered Super Netball franchises from signing players for the upcoming 2024 season, which is set to commence in April.
Additionally, Netball Australia recently faced a financial setback, missing out on 18 million Australian dollars in government funding due to an unsatisfactory business proposal. This was compounded by the withdrawal of a significant sponsorship deal with Hancock Prospecting, valued at A$15 million, following concerns raised by Donnell Wallam, the only Aboriginal player in the Australia squad, regarding the company’s history with Indigenous communities. Although Visit Victoria stepped in as a new sponsor, Netball Australia disclosed a debt of A$4.2 million earlier this year, still reeling from the pandemic’s economic impact.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Kelly Ryan Resignation
Why did Kelly Ryan resign as CEO of Netball Australia?
Kelly Ryan resigned from her position as CEO of Netball Australia following the successful resolution of a lengthy pay dispute. She felt it was the right time to hand over leadership after achieving several objectives, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and enhancing the sport’s growth and financial stability.
What were the consequences of the pay dispute in Australia’s Super Netball League?
The pay dispute in Australia’s Super Netball League led to players not being paid since their last contract expired in September. This financial strain resulted in severe hardships for some players, with reports of them having to sleep in their cars.
Who is replacing Kelly Ryan as the acting CEO of Netball Australia?
Stacey West, the Executive General Manager for Performance at Netball Australia, has been appointed as the acting CEO following Kelly Ryan’s resignation.
What does the new pay agreement in Netball Australia entail?
The new pay agreement in Netball Australia includes an 11% pay rise for players and a greater share of competition revenue. This agreement was reached after a lengthy dispute over player payments in the Super Netball League.
What financial challenges is Netball Australia currently facing?
Netball Australia is currently facing significant financial challenges, including a debt of A$4.2 million. They missed out on 18 million Australian dollars in government funding and lost a major sponsorship deal worth A$15 million, which has compounded their financial difficulties.
More about Kelly Ryan Resignation
- Netball Australia CEO Resignation
- Super Netball League Pay Dispute
- Stacey West Appointed Interim CEO
- Netball Australia’s Financial Struggles
- Kelly Ryan’s Achievements and Challenges
5 comments
This is really sad, players sleeping in cars? that’s just not right… hope things get better with the new ceo.
Missing out on 18m in funding, that’s huge! Netball Australia really needs to sort their finances, and fast.
Stacey West, huh? curious to see how she handles things, big shoes to fill, Good luck to her!
Kelly Ryan had a tough run, pandemic, pay disputes, sponsor issues, not easy being in charge, lets see what comes next.
wow, didn’t expect Kelly Ryan to step down, she did good with netball and all, tough times for the sport huh?