Netball Australia Board Director

NETBALL AUSTRALIAS BACKGROUND

Netball holds a unique position in the Australian sporting landscape. It is a sport with significant and long held participation rates that are the envy of many other Australian sports. It is widely held to be the womens sport in Australia with eight out of ten Australian families having some involvement with netball either through playing volunteering coaching or assisting in the administration of the sport.

Netball Australia (NA) is the national body for Netball in Australia. The organisation was founded in 1927 when the All Australia Womens Basketball Association was 1970 the name of the game was changed to Netball resulting in a change in name of the Organisation to the All Australia Netball Association (AANA). The AANA was incorporated as a public company limited by guarantee on 18 September 1986 and is governed by the Corporations Act 2001. Netball Australia was registered as a Business Name in 1993. NA operates as a company under a constitution that is resolved by the NA State and Territory Organisations Member Organisations (MOs).

The Board of Directors consists of three Elected Directors elected by the MOs and up to six Appointed Directors who may be appointed by the Board. The Board independently elects the Chair of the Board. The Board is accountable to the MOs for the operation and management of NA including long term business and financial planning.

NAs vision for 2025-2035 is for an Australia that is Made in Netball where netball is not only the choice of women and girls but a powerful force for connection excellence and impact. Made in Netball is more than a tagline. It captures what makes our sport unique: a place where generations of girls and women have found and become their best selves.

Our strategic pillars:

• Grow and Excel Netball Elevating participation and performance from grassroots to elite
• Deepen Community Connection and Audience Engagement Strengthening bonds with fans families and communities
• Amplify Netballs Impact and Legacy Ensuring netballs influence reaches far beyond the court

BOARD CULTURE

The Board is committed to developing and sustaining an inclusive collaborative and high-performing Board culture. Directors acknowledge that the way they conduct themselves in delivering our strategic outcomes sets the tone for all levels of the organisation and hold each other accountable for adhering to the key Netball Australia trademark behaviours of:

• Custodianship
• Humanity
• Diversity
• Goodwill
• Respect
• Collective Responsibility; and
• Personal Responsibility

All Board members are required to sign the Board Code of Conduct annually.

DIRECTOR COMMITMENTS

Netball Australia Director Meetings:

Between six to eight planned Board Meetings annually with the majority held in-person.

Member Forums:

Netball Australia holds two Member Forums annually generally held over a weekend and all Directors are expected to attend.

Sub-Committees:

The NA Board is supported by four (4) sub-committees Finance Audit & Risk Committee Governance Committee Nominations Committee and History & Traditions Committee with all Directors expected to sit on at least one sub-committee. Sub-committees meet at least four times annually.

Confident Girls Foundation:

An NA Director sits on the Confident Girls Foundation Board.

Netball Events Pty Ltd:

A number of NA Directors sit on the Netball Events Pty Ltd Board.

Event Attendance:

Optional attendance at key Netball Australia events including but not limited to; SSN Season Launch SSN matches Diamonds matches in Australia and other events such as the Australian Netball Awards.

Director Education and Training:

Directors are required to complete training as directed by NA including with respect to NA Policies and Integrity frameworks. Directors may also be required to complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course or other relevant programs.

BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

The Boards key responsibilities include ensuring:

• The vision behaviours strategies and measurement systems are established implementation tracked and reported on
• The policies and Terms of Reference which govern the way we work are maintained and implemented including the establishment and implementation of sub-committees
• Organisational risks and compliance obligations are identified mitigated and monitored
• That performance is monitored and responded to through the Netball Australia Chief Executive Officer
• Strong and effective relationships with key stakeholders are maintained

CANDIDATE PROFILE

All Directors must meet the Eligibility Requirements and Selection Criteria set out in the Position Description as well as demonstrate:

Team Player/Collaboration

• The ability to work as part of a team and commit to acting with respect for management peer Directors and relevant organisational and Board processes
• Demonstrated passion and time to make a genuine and active contribution to the Board

Constructive Questioning / Probing

• Preparedness to ask questions and challenge management and peer Directors in a constructive and respectful way about key issues
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgement in assessing information and discerning appropriate responses

Integrity / Ethics

• A commitment to put NAs interests before any personal interests act in a transparent manner and declare interests/activities or conduct that might be a potential conflict
• Always maintain Board confidentiality and understand and fulfil the duties and responsibilities of a Director

Effective Listening and Communication

• Ability to listen to and constructively and appropriately debate other peoples viewpoints develop and deliver clear and concise arguments and points of view

Leadership

• Range of leadership competencies including the ability to make and take responsibility for decisions and actions set and reinforce appropriate Board and organisational culture and appropriately represent NA
• Act in a manner consistent with a Directors role as custodian of the organisation and the game.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

All NA Directors are required to have the following core competencies:

Knowledge of Directors duties and responsibilities

An understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of a Company Director as set out in the Corporations Act.

Strategic Thinking and Planning

The ability to analyse and problem solve at a strategic level and contribute to effective decision making.

Financial Literacy

The ability to read and understand NA accounts understand the financial reporting to the Board the Financial KPM and the financial reporting requirements of NA.

Compliance and Risk Management

Understanding of the legal and compliance environment of NA and its compliance requirements.

People Management

Knowledge and understanding of current thinking on effective people management employee engagement and staff remuneration

Personal Attributes

All NA Directors are required to possess the following personal attributes:

Committed to NA Values Vision and Purpose

Practical understanding and personal commitment to the organisations goals.

Team Player / Collaboration

The ability to work as part of a team and commit to acting with respect for Management peer Directors and relevant organisational and Board processes.

Demonstrated passion and willingness to undertake the workload required to make a genuine contribution to the Board.

Independent

Able when required to be curious and courageous to think independently and to express an independent viewpoint.

Constructive Questioning / Probing

Preparedness to ask questions and challenge Management and peer Directors in a constructive and respectful way about key issues.

Ability to demonstrate sound judgement in assessing information and discerning appropriate responses.

Integrity and Ethics

A commitment to put NAs interests before any personal interests act in a transparent manner and declare interests/activities or conduct that might be a potential conflict.

Always maintain Board confidentiality and understand and fulfil the duties and responsibilities of a Director.

Effective Listening and Communication

Ability to listen to and constructively and appropriately debate other peoples viewpoints develop and deliver clear and concise arguments and points of view.

Leadership

Range of leadership competencies including the ability to make and take responsibility for decisions and actions set and reinforce appropriate Board and organisational culture and appropriately represent NA.

Act in a manner consistent with a Directors role as custodian of the organisation and the game.

SPECIALIST SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

NA Directors will possess one or more of the following key competencies:

• Significant experience as a Company Director (5 years or more) with sophisticated contemporary corporate governance structures and accompanying policies and processes.
• Significant experience as an organisational leader leading an organisation or team to achieve organisational goals through application of strategy.
• Formal qualifications (AICD graduate) and demonstrated interest and involvement in the areas of governance and organisational leadership.
• Creating and maintaining a strategy to align organisational actions plans and resources with business objectives.
• Experience that demonstrates engagement and communication across a range of industries including government and the sporting sector to achieve desired outcomes.
• Understanding of and experience in federated stakeholder environments that enables effective engagement and communication with key stakeholders/audiences.
• Managing and performing administrative services and tasks to enable individuals teams and organisations to succeed in their objectives.
• Qualifications experience in the financial services sector and/or deep understanding of finance matters including financial reporting and audit processes evaluating financial statements assessing financial viability and performance overseeing budgets and the efficient use of resources.
• Experience in developing and implementing strategies for investment and securing capital to support organisational growth with a focus on social/impact investing.
• Experience that reflects identifying creating and implementing opportunities for business growth.
• Demonstrated relevant experience in the Corporate and/or private sector that would provide insight into the operations strategy and overall performance of the organisation.
• Demonstrated relevant experience in the public or not-for-profit sector that would provide insight into the operations strategy and overall performance of the organisation.
• Knowledge and experience in supporting relations between management and workers including unionism policy and frameworks for negotiation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Significant experience at a senior level formal qualifications and demonstrated track record of success as a lawyer.
• Ability to identify risks to the organisation in a wide range of areas including legal and regulatory compliance and monitor risk and compliance management frameworks and systems.
• Experience in adopting and integrating AI technologies to improve organisational processes decision-making and innovation with appropriate governance and risk management.
• Experience in best practice in oversight of organisational cyber risk management and mitigation.
• Experience in the development and implementation of best practice human resource management systems policies and procedures and/or qualifications in this area of expertise.
• Significant experience in driving or overseeing transformational change agendas and programs.
• Experience in delivering and/or participating in executive coaching or mentoring programs.
• Strategic understanding of sport its ecosystem from community participation to High Performance and commercial completion.
• Participation in netball at a professional/elite level or knowledge and/or experience in netball administration at a professional/elite level (similar experience in other sports will be considered).
• Participation Coaching & Officiating or Volunteering in sport at a local regional state or national level or experience in game development at local regional state or national level.
• Recognised leader within sport with proven experience in guiding strategic direction and planning and skilled in influencing policies and procedures to support elite athlete.
• Managing and performing sports administrative services and tasks particularly in a federated sports system to enable individuals teams and organisations to succeed in their objectives.
• Significant experience at a senior level formal qualifications and demonstrated track record of success in the brand strategy marketing and communication.
• Experience in developing and implementing strategies to position and grow a brand commercially in line with corporate strategy; building brand/s as a commercial asset.
• Experience in creating and executing marketing campaigns across multiple channels with a particular focus on campaigns that engage fans communities and drive near term commercial outcomes.
• Significant experience at a senior level and demonstrated track record of success in the media and / broadcast industry.
• Experience in planning promoting activating and delivering large-scale events.
• Qualifications knowledge of and/or experience in the development and implementation of best practice public relations and communication concepts and strategies.
• Experience in collecting and analysing data identification of insights and developing narratives to support business objectives Data > Insights > Action.
• Significant experience at a senior level and demonstrated track record of success in developing and delivering digital strategy.
• Knowledge of and/or experience in the application and development of information technology-related innovation programs digital infrastructure or applications to build customer/member journeys and engagement.
• Delivering agreed outcomes from projects using appropriate management techniques collaboration leadership and governance.

2026 PRIORITIES

NA is particularly interested in receiving applications from nominees who can bring the following expertise and skills to the Board:

1. Business Financial & Commercial Acumen high regard will be paid to Senior Executive and/or Chief Financial Officer experience and experience in leading investment strategy and capital raising
2. Legal Risk and Compliance Competencies
3. Brand Marketing and Digital Competencies with focus on Major Event Promotion and Delivery
4. Nominees with extensive experience in Sports Administration are also highly desirable.

Applications from nominees who ordinarily reside outside of New South Wales is desirable.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

There are two (2) Board Director positions one (1) Appointed Director and one (1) Elected Director.

NETBALL AUSTRALIA BOARD POLICIES

Directors must comply with the Netball Australia Board Code of Conduct Governance Principles Policy Delegation of Authority Policy Director Entitlements Policy Directors Travel Policy and agree to undertake their Director Duties according to the Board Cultural Charter.

All Directors are bound by NAs Netball Integrity Policy Framework and associated policies including without limitation NAs Competition Manipulation & Sports Wagering Policy for Elite Netball and prohibitions on betting on any form of netball.

NA is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and has a zero tolerance towards any form of bullying harassment discrimination and abuse within the workplace.

To be successful in this role you must be able to demonstrate an understanding of appropriate behaviours when engaging with children/young people and hold or be willing to obtain a Working with Children Check and a National Police Clearance.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All nominees will be required to:

• Provide a one-page cover letter;
• Provide a two-page resume detailing relevant experience to the candidate profile & 2026 priorities;
• Complete all Application Screening Questions.

Shortlisted nominees will be required to complete the Consent to Act as a Director as well as reading & agreeing to NAs Constitution. Nominations strictly close 5.00pm AEDT 8 February 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact: Amy Thorp General Manager Legal & Integrity

Email: