By Stephanie Smarrelli
While netball's newest leader Stacey West has a long and decorated history in the sport, there is nothing quite like sitting in the hot seat.
But it is an opportunity West is more than up for.
The country kid from Castlemaine, who once led from the back in the GK bib, will be guiding the sport from the front after she was announced as the new CEO of Netball Australia.
There are many words which could sum up West but humble, honest and human would be the first which come to mind for those who know her.
So when she received the call that she would be stepping into netball's top job, permanently, it was only fitting that West's initial reaction was gratitude.
“It's an incredible role and of significance for the sport and that's not lost on me. I feel honoured and privileged," West said.
West has worn many hats in the netball world and has walked the halls of Netball Australia HQ for more than 13 years.
Starting out as General Manager of High Performance Pathway before moving into the role of Executive General Manager of High Performance in 2020.
Her touch points in the sport include stints as a player at the top level of the game, to coaching duties and also administration.
Now, she adds CEO to the list, but her connection to the grassroots netball community will never be lost on her. West is confident that the 1.2 million people who play the sport are the ones who will help drive netball forward.
West is a former Commonwealth Bank Trophy player.
“It actually gets me kind of emotional, the grassroots represents all of us,” she said.
“We all started somewhere. I still am actively involved in the community at a grassroots level.
"I drive to training on a Thursday evening, I'm driving the car and I'm going ‘I'm busy, I don't have time for this’, but I walk into that environment and my world changes. I smile, it fills up my bucket.”
THE KID FROM CASTLEMAINE
Stepping onto the netball court for the first time at eight-years-old for Norwood Hill Netball Association, a young West never would’ve pictured how far that moment would take her.
The country kid from Castlemaine, in Victoria's Goldfields region, worked her way through the netball pathway before making the move to the Top End where she caught the eye of selectors who invited her to attend the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra where she further developed her defensive craft.
From there West was selected into the inaugural Melbourne Phoenix team - a side which would go on to win the maiden Commonwealth Bank Trophy.
"How incredible?” she said, of that memory.
“McKinnis was in wing defence, Janine Ilitch was in keeper Liz Boniello (nee Taverner) in goal defence. I was sitting amongst Origin Diamonds.
“I was a young defender in an incredible environment of excellence. All of those things I learned through that time with the Phoenix and what I've learned moving from a playing career into a coaching career I have taken with me.”
West believes her variety of experiences in the sport will help her step into the role of CEO.
“I've spent a lifetime loving the sport. I've loved what it's given me but also love what I've given it,” she said.
West was part of the inaugural Melbourne Phoenix team.“It's a two-way relationship. This moment allows me to reflect on all those opportunities I've had, those learnings and bring them into this role to help shape what we do next as a sport.”
Thinking about the lessons she’s learned, West said there is one thing which really stands out... teamwork.
“A good defender is only as good as the units around them and then only as good as the shooters that score the goals for you,” she said.
“Sport has taught me how to be a team player. This sport has enabled us to find our role amongst the other roles on the court and then the roles that are off the court.
"I hold a role as a CEO but I actually hold that role alongside a range of teammates.”
FUTURE FOCUSED
Looking towards the job ahead, West acknowledged her priorities are to grow the sport and to continue to build on relationships.
“Our participation base is thriving and it's looking forward to what's new and what's next. I am really focused on the way that our participation system within this sport is enabled, enhanced and grows,” she said.
“The priorities are around relationships, we have an entire ecosystem that everyday turn up at netball courts, in boardrooms, at Parliament House, in commercial partnerships and relationships that all want to see netball thrive.
"For me it is a network of humans that want netball to succeed and I'm looking forward to ensuring we engage in a regular and meaningful way.”
West's priorities are to grow the sport and build relationships.While Suncorp Super Netball remains a huge focus, there is another massive milestone for netball on the horizon. The 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
And West is determined to seize that milestone.
“We have a moment to bring the entire world to Australia in 2027. We have a moment to redefine what the sport wants to do together, and I'm looking forward to bringing all our major stakeholders together to design our future for the sport,” she said.
“For 97 years Netball Australia has existed in this in this country as a place for women and girls to find their place to belong, to understand where they can be leaders within this world around us. That's not changing.
“We also need to include other elements that will grow our game, we need to be considered and inclusive around our First Nations population, our arrivals to Australia populations, our men and our boys.
“We can be more and that's what's exciting me in terms of the next steps that netball takes in our journey.”
With some huge milestones ahead, and challenges to navigate, West will provide a calm head and go-getter attitude, with her sights set firmly on the path ahead.
