Netball Australia CEO Stacey West resigns after less than three years in the roll
Netball Australia CEO Stacy West has announced her resignation after less than three years at the helm as the sport gears up for the 2027 World Cup and a new broadcast deal.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, West said she was honored to lead Netball Australia through critical years of transformation, adding that the role was “a labor of love”.
“My commitment to sport, our people and our athletes has been a lifelong vocation and the opportunity to contribute to our growth and success has been a privilege,” he said.
“I hand over the reins at the dawn of a new era where the sport is poised for continued success.”
Netball Australia says Mark Falvo will serve as interim CEO with effect from Monday 27 April.
West, who was appointed interim CEO in December 2023, has navigated netball through one of the sport’s biggest crises. Payment dispute with players and mounting debt after losing $17 million in government funding.
During West’s tenure she helped improve relations between players and the governing body, reduce the sport’s debt and increase Super Netball supporters.
Last week, Netball Australia announced that Nine Entertainment Co, which owns the imprint, had won broadcast and broadcast rights for Australian netball until the end of 2031, as the sport emerged from behind a paywall for the first time in five years.
The new deal will commence from January 1, 2027, following the end of DAZN-owned Foxtel’s $35 million, five-year broadcast partnership.
“Our new long-term free-to-air partnership defies market trends and is comprised of the great product and people that make up the sport,” West said.
“We remain the number one sport for women and girls, and community love and respect for both the high performance and participation aspects of our game are the backbone of our culture and dominance.
Netball Australia President Liz Ellis thanked West for her contribution and dedication to the sport over 16 years.
“She has supported the game through both its peaks and its challenges, providing ongoing positive energy and focus to take netball into the future,” Ellis said.
Hannah Kennelly is an award-winning sports journalist and Formula 1 writer for The Age.Connect via email.
