Ahead of the weekend’s vote, Director Robert Shaw confirmed he would not be recontesting his position concluding a three-year term on the Board.
Paolina Hunt, who has been a Netball Australia Director since 2012 and Board Chair for the past two years, was re-elected and Peter Legg, the current Chief Financial Officer of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, was elected to the Board.
Bringing more than 15 years of senior management experience to the role, Legg is a chartered accountant with extensive experience within the sports industry having worked with the NRL and two of its clubs, along with several roles in horse racing.
Netball Australia CEO Marne Fechner has thanked Robert Shaw for his contribution to the Netball Australia Board and is pleased to have Legg joining the group.
“Robert has been involved in netball since his daughters started playing 22 years ago. He has had an enormous impact on netball, bringing his business expertise and leadership to the boards of Netball WA and Netball Australia,” she said.
“We’re sad to lose Robert’s unique skills and acknowledge his contribution to netball’s strategic vision and culture. In looking forward though, I’m very pleased that the members’ endorsed Paolina’s leadership strengths and am looking forward to the expertise that Peter will bring, having had years of financial experience within the sports industry.”
Legg is delighted to have been elected to the Netball Australia board and is looking forward to the what the role entails.
“It is an exciting time for netball and I believe I can contribute to making our great game even better, now and into the future,” he said.
“I look forward to working with the Board and management on our strategic plans and bringing my existing knowledge from other sports to the netball landscape.”
Hunt is also excited to be returning to the Board.
“This sport has so much potential and I’m looking forward to continuing the great work we’re doing in a time that women’s sport has never been so popular.”
Shaw said his decision to not renominate for the board of Netball Australia wasn’t an easy one or something he took lightly.
“When I was approached to stand for President in 2016 I knew I would be taking on the role for a three-year term and, in that time, I have been fully committed to the growth strategies and governance for netball in Australia – netball is well placed to continue paving the way in female sport and sport in general,” he said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Board members, amazing staff and Paolina Hunt and Marne Fechner who have been up for the challenge. I would also like to thank our member organisations for giving me the opportunity to play a small part in the history of our amazing sport.”
The Netball Australia board will meet again in May.
