Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan resigns after pay dispute

Chief Executive (CEO) of Netball Australia Kelly Ryan resigns after a long-lasting pay dispute with players in the wake of criticism. She resigned just days after an in-principal CPA agreement on a new compensation deal for players. CPA refers to the Club Participation Agreement.

This new deal received criticism of the sport’s leadership from some members of the Netball community. Players have now been without salary for 10 weeks and have been practically unemployed since the previous CPA expired on September 30.

Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan has informed the Board of Netball Australia of her resignation, effective immediately.https://t.co/6YL6bbUYGy pic.twitter.com/Skt85sLdfe
— Netball Australia (@NetballAust) December 12, 2023

Kelly was appointed to Netball Australia’s executive in mid-2021. She has encountered financial challenges during her tenure revealing more than $4 million in debt early this year. She said the time seemed right to hand over the reins to a new leader.

Kelly said she has met the objectives of the board during her tenure as chief executive. We overcame the hurdles of the coronavirus pandemic to keep a national tournament going despite border closure. It experienced strong development in the national competition increased netball’s already high participation numbers and strengthened the finances of games.

Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan resigns after pay dispute

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The decision of Kelly drew criticism at the sport’s leadership by prominent members of the NA community including former Diamonds captain Liz Ellis.

Netball Australia (NA) has appointed Stacey West as an acting CEO in place of Kelly. Stacey was serving earlier as executive general manager for performance for NA for 12 years.

Netball Australia Chair Wendy Archer said she is thankful to Kelly for her efforts. Wendy said about Kelly that she has demonstrated exceptional resilience and honesty throughout her tenure as CEO.

The federal government pulled nearly $18 million in funding for NA last week after determining that the sport’s commercial case was not “sufficiently strong”.

The Australian Netball Players’ Association and NA are now finalizing the completion of a new collective bargaining agreement for Super Netball Players. These players have been without compensation for more than two months.