Netball NSW would like express its sincere thanks to Louise Sullivan whose time on the organisation’s Board of Directors has come to an end after nearly a decade of loyal service.
Sullivan, who hails originally from the Sutherland Shire Netball Association, and now also coaching at representative and Club level with Southern Highlands Netball Association, was first elected to the Board in 2015 and served as President/Chair of Netball NSW from 2018 to 2023.
An experienced business executive, director and lawyer by trade, Sullivan served the sport diligently during a period of significant change and innovation at all levels. She brought a strong combination of governance expertise, commercial and legal acumen together with a deep passion and knowledge of netball.
During her time, Sullivan served across all of Netball NSW’s Board Committees, as Chair of most at different periods, as well as a Premier League Commissioner and to various other Panels and appointments.
At a national level, she was elected as the President/Chair representative by her fellow Member Organisation peers for the Netball Australia Implementation Steering Committee, State of the Game (SOTG) Review, SOTG Governance Committee and as a member of the Netball Australia Board Nominations Committee from 2020-23, which reflects the high esteem she was held within the sport more broadly.
Sullivan concluded her five-year term as Chair at the 2023 Annual General Meeting and did not seek re-election to the position consistent with the Board’s succession strategy.
Most notably, Sullivan was the Board Chair and a key member of the Netball NSW team which guided the game through the COVID-19 pandemic when all levels of the game were impacted by widespread lockdowns and border closures.
Some of the other most notable achievements during Sullivan’s tenure as Chair included:
- Following the State of the Game Review in 2020, Netball NSW played a strong leadership role in the unanimous implementation by the eight Member Organisations of the most significant governance reforms ever achieved in our sport at national level.
- Progressive governance reforms were achieved at a state level to allow Netball NSW and the game more broadly to pivot as it needs to in a highly competitive sports market with a focus by the state-body on more transparent, accountable and effective stakeholder engagement, and cultural reform.
- Working with Tennis NSW to secure $50m in funding for a new roof on Ken Rosewall Arena. This has provided the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball with a new 10,000-seat home venue.
- NSW Swifts Premierships in 2019 and 2021, the latter coming after an all-NSW Grand Final between the Swifts and GIANTS and several years of record-breaking membership and commercial growth.
- Following an extensive Pathways Review, the all-conquering NSW State Teams winning Nationals and Marie Little Shield gold in 2022.
- The release of Netball NSW’s first-ever Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan and the launch of the inaugural Indigenous All Stars program aimed at identifying and providing opportunity to talented Indigenous athletes.
- Growth of diversity and inclusion in our game, most notably the opportunity for men, boys and mixed participation, including the introduction of male divisions at our State Titles competitions and in our schools programs.
- Most recently the launch of the Netball NSW Strategic Plan for 2023 to 2025, which provided a clear pathway for a financially sustainable future ensuring that netball retains our number 1 position in women’s sport, whilst adapting to welcome a more expansive participation base and audience.
Like many, Sullivan is a proud netball Mum to three young netball-playing daughters, and she has continued to volunteer actively at the grassroots levels of the sport as a coach, manager, umpire and fan.
Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott said:
“On behalf of everyone in our organisation, I would like to thank Louise for the passion, guidance and endless hours and focus she has provided to the game during her time on our Board of Directors.
“How she guided the game through the COVID-19 pandemic means she will always hold a special place in the NSW netball community.
“On a personal note, I thank her for her guidance and understanding in always seeking to advance the game of netball for all.”
