The Netball Australia Board is delighted to announce the appointment of respected and dynamic sports executive and leader, Kelly Ryan, to the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Ryan’s extensive leadership experience includes 15 years in the Australian sporting industry with demonstrated success in commercial, customer experience, operations and consumer business.
Her executive roles include being a foundation Executive member of the Gold Coast SUNS, an executive member of the Western Bulldogs during the 2016 Premiership triumph and the formation of the club’s AFLW team, and more recently, an executive member of Marvel Stadium, which won the International Stadium of the Year Award in 2019.
Netball Australia Chair Marina Go said Ryan had been chosen from an extremely strong field of candidates and had impressed the selection panel with her clarity of vision and ambition for Australia’s number one participation sport.
‘’Kelly comes to netball at a pivotal time in our sport’s development,’’ Go said. ‘’While her experience and track record of leadership is impeccable, it is her drive and strategic ambition for netball that most excites us.’’
Ryan said she was thrilled to be selected to lead netball at such an important time of change and growth and is looking forward to working with the member organisations and clubs to ensure that netball remains the leading sport for women.
“I am honoured to be selected to lead netball at such an important time,” she said.
‘’Suncorp Super Netball is one of the best elite competitions in the world, grassroots netball is Australia’s number one participation code, and we’re on the brink of a new media rights partnership that will create so many new opportunities from community netball to the Origin Australian Diamonds.
“I am committed to the strategic direction of Netball and look forward to working with our board and stakeholders to deliver strong opportunities for our game. Importantly, I’m the mother of two young daughters and am proud to now lead a sport with a mission to help young women and girls to shine by building their confidence and connecting their communities.’’
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing), is a graduate of Harvard University’s Authentic Leadership course, and was awarded the AFL’s prestigious Graeme Samuel Scholarship.
Go thanked interim CEO Ron Steiner for his commitment and drive over the past eight months.
‘’Ron could have just kept the ship steady while we found our new leader. Instead, he drove us forward, playing key roles in governance reform, our new Foxtel Group rights deal and the significant challenges of on-going COVID19 disruptions.’’
Ryan will join Netball Australia on July 7.
Kelly Ryan: Career Highlights
2021 – present: Executive team, Precinct Integration, Stakeholder and Commercial, Marvel Stadium Redevelopment, Australian Football League
2018-2021: General Manager, Operations and Customer Experience, Marvel Stadium
2016-2018: Chief Marketing Officer Western Bulldogs Football Club
2010-2016: General Manager Marketing and Community; General Manager Marketing, Consumer and Community; General Manager, Stadium, Consumer and Community, Gold Coast Suns Football Club.
