Netball Australia Annual Report 2009 One Team One Game One Goal 2009 Annual Report Netball Australia 1 Message from the Australian Sports Commission The power of a successful sports system like Australia’s lies within the many cooperative partnerships and relationships between its system partners. Matt Miller As our sports system has diversified The Australian Sports Commission Chief Executive Officer and increased in complexity over the has already taken steps to review Australian Sports Commission years, so too has the nature of these and evaluate our strategic position relationships. Now, as ever, a critical and intent in active consultation with ingredient for our system’s continued national sporting organisations and success and sustainability is to ensure other stakeholders. These system that we all remain on the same page that improvements will provide a foundation our links between each other, our leading for any changes emerging from the programs, our roles and relationships are Government process. clearly defined and understood by all. Already we have identified a number Sport operates in a dynamic, demanding of priorities. These include: the need to and rapidly changing environment. The better align our high performance sport sources of change include advancing efforts with our partners; to work more technologies, new structures and collaboratively with state departments systems, products and services, people of sport and recreation in strategic concerns and rising international approaches to growing participation in competition and benchmarks. sport; to re-communicate the value of sport to the Australian community; and The Australian Government has flagged to retain and develop our best coaches. the need to address this change by reforming our sports system and has Our efforts to act on these priorities are outlined its approach in the paper inherently intertwined with our partners. Australian Sport: Emerging Challenges, These partnerships represent a powerful New Directions. tool in our ability to adapt to a changing environment, to share responsibilities, The Government is also preparing to effectively communicate and continue respond to recommendations by an to expand and strengthen sport. independent expert panel, headed by lawyer David Crawford, to ensure both Our work together will ensure that the high performance and community level Australian sports system is progressive, sport is prepared for those challenges. robust and sustainable for decades to come. 2 2009 Annual Report Netball Australia Contents President’s Report 14 Chief Executive’s Report 16 Organisational Structure 18 High Performance 20 Sport Development 32 Commerical Operations 36 Event Operations 40 Corporate Services 47 Awards 48 Sponsors and Partners 50 Photographers are David Callow, Getty Images, Stefan Postles Highlights World Champions All eyes on netball Sell-out crowds Under the direction of coach Simone Television audiences increased For the first time ever, three of the McKinnis OAM, the Australian 21/U team dramatically in 2009, due largely to the four Holden Netball Test Series were crowned the World Youth Netball move to commercial free-to-air television matches sold out weeks in advance. Champions after defeating arch rivals via the partnership with Network Ten and ANZ Championship crowds were up New Zealand 64-46 in the Cook Islands its high definition sports channel ONE. 12% on 2008 attendances after the ANZ Championship audiences were up home and away rounds. World number one a massive 52%, while the Holden Netball Australian Netball Diamonds retain Test Series recorded its highest ever Vixens their position as number one ranked ratings, with the match in Brisbane It was an all-Australian affair when netballing nation in the world. peaking at 289,031 viewers. the Melbourne Vixens lived up to their ‘Dream Team’ hype and beat The Crawford Report the Adelaide Thunderbirds in front Netball welcomed the release of the of a sell-out crowd at Hisense Arena Independent Sport Panel on the Future to take out the ANZ Championship title. of Sport in Australia, particularly the findings around making sport and physical education a priority in the education system. 4 2009 Annual Report Netball Australia Sharelle McMahon Australian Diamonds’ captain and revered shooter Sharelle McMahon joined an elite group when she played her 100th Test cap during the Holden Netball Test Series in Brisbane. Only two others, Liz Ellis and Vicki Wilson, have a greater number of caps. Corletto and Hallinan Friends since playing together as junior netballers, the Diamonds and Vixens teammates had a stellar year. Corletto was honoured with netball’s most prestigious individual award, the Liz Ellis Diamond while Hallinan not only made her Diamonds’ debut but was awarded the Holden International Player of the Year. Gweneth Benzie Diminutive Gwen Benzie stole the show at the Netball Australia Annual Awards dinner when she was inducted into the Australian Netball Hall of Fame as a General Member along with other greats of the game. Diamond Girl With her long blond hair and green ribbons, the new Diamonds mascot made her debut at the Brisbane Test. Much more than just a fun mascot, Diamond Girl is part of a broader strategic move to further position the Australian Netball Diamonds brand in the Australian market. MyNetball San Remo NetSetGO! Netball Australia launched its new online Netball Australia’s development program membership portal with a mass mail-out for 5 – 10 years olds recorded an 86% to all registered members offering a range growth in its second year, with 24,129 of benefits and opportunities, including participants enjoying netball at 637 the chance to win a new Holden Cruze. centres throughout the country. Lucky 12 year old Queenslander Kaila Sutherland won the car. Umpires Australian umpires had an outstanding year Sponsors with five selected to officiate at the World In a tough commercial environment Youth Netball Championship finals. Josh overshadowed by concerns about Bowring and Mark Henning were awarded the global financial crisis, Netball their AA badges, a great achievement. Australia renegotiated the extension of three major partnerships – Holden, San Remo and Loraine Lea Linen – and forged a new partnership with the Walt Disney company. 2009 Annual Report Netball Australia 5 Strategic Direction Context Netball Australia is a member of a broader sport industry that extends beyond Australian shores. The fundamental goal of Netball Australia is to provide an opportunity for all Australians to participate in the game in a way that brings them good health, recognition, achievement, enjoyment and a sense of belonging. As Australia’s leading female sport Netball Australia is committed to the provision of innovative and sustainable netball programs to faciliate social change and empowerment for women and girls. Netball Australia is responsible for National teams competing on the international stage, major events that bring the best in the world to the Australian public, programs and services that create positive environments for inclusive participation, pathways for athletes, umpires, coaches, administrators and technical officials, technology that connects the netball community, guarding heritage and a culture that celebrates women. Vision Netball – one team, one game, one goal. Mission Commercially driven, stakeholder focused and recognised as a world class sporting organisation. 6 2009 Annual Report Netball Australia Strategic Direction 2009 Annual Report Netball Australia 7 Strategic Direction Values Strategic Priorities • The Australian Netball Diamonds brand launched. Passion Intelligent Evolution • Netball inducts its first members into • We care about our organisation, • Involve key business leaders, the Australian Netball Hall of Fame. our people and our purpose. community and government. • The ANZ Championship achieved • We are motivated, high achievers • Utilise IP to broaden the reach record crowds and broadcast ratings. and celebrate great outcomes. of the Netball brand • The Liz Ellis Diamond was presented Teamwork Netball is an Australian Success Story to Australia’s most outstanding • We work together for a common goal • Rebrand netball so it is contemporary, netballer in 2009, Julie Corletto. and create a harmonious environment relevant and compelling. Vibrant Community Sport by: • Use interactive, contemporary digital • San Remo NetSetGO! launched – Contributing as individuals media to engage and build passion nationally – 86% growth 08-09. for our brand. – Being adaptable and flexible • Health partnerships launched with – Supporting others. • Create events and products that beyondblue and National Breast generate economic benefits. Cancer Foundation. Integrity • We act in an ethically Vibrant Community Sport Intelligent Evolution responsible manner. • Grow San Remo NetSetGO! • Diamond Girl launched during the • We are honest and treat 2009 Holden Netball Test Series. Achievements 08/09 people with respect. • Six of the eight Member Organisations World Number One support the one brand strategy. Excellence • Australia’s 21/U team wins 2009 World • We perform at the highest level • The Netball Australia Board reviewed Youth Netball Championship in the and benchmark against the best. strategic priorities for 2009-2010. Cook Islands. • We aim for continuous improvement • Netball established a national high • The Australian Netball Diamonds retain and innovation in everything we do. level risk register. the world number one ranking.