SSN COMMISSION APPLICANT PACK SSN COMMISSION APPLICANT PACK 1 Background Netball holds a unique position in the Australian sporting landscape. It is a sport with significant and long held participation rates that are the envy of many other Australian sports. It is widely held to be the major women’s sport in Australia with eight out of ten Australian families having some involvement with netball — either through playing, volunteering, coaching or assisting in the administration of the sport. Netball Australia (NA) is the national body for Netball in Australia and is the owner of the Super Netball League (SNL) the organisations professional competition. Netball Australia has a 30+ year history of conducting and investing in this elite fan focused competition with the Mobil League; Commonwealth Bank Trophy, ANZ Championship and now Suncorp Super Netball. The current iteration of the league was established in 2017 following the decision to exit the previous Trans-Tasman competition and focus on domestic growth. Eight teams make up the current competition with two teams in the larger states of VIC, NSW and QLD and one team each in WA and SA. Six of the eight teams are owned and operated by the State Sporting Organisation with the two remaining teams owned by AFL (Collingwood) and NRL (Melbourne Storm) clubs. Each of these teams have signed a Team Participation Agreement (TPA) that ensures their involvement in the league until the end of 2021 which is also the end of the current broadcast agreement with NINE and Telstra. Ten athletes are contracted to each team meaning there are 80 athletes who are signed to full time contracts with their teams. The Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA) acts as the representative body for these athletes and plays a key role in the negotiation of the Collective Players Agreement (CPA). SSN COMMISSION APPLICANT PACK 2 SSN COMMISSION Netball is at a significant turning point in its evolution as a leading sport in Australia, as it walks the line between its historical amateur status and the full professionalism of its athletes. Recognising this need to evolve, in December 2018 the decision was taken by the NA Board to establish a new company known as Super Netball League (SNL) Limited with an appointed Commission to assume responsibility for the sustainability and growth of the league. The SNL Commission will consist of seven Directors with four appointed by the board of NA (plus the NA CEO) and two appointed by the Commission. The Commission will then independently elect the Chair. SNL will be wholly owned by NA who will possess certain rights of veto, however the Commission will be given the mandate to self-govern and lead its own operations. SNL will appoint its own Chief Executive Officer of SNL who will carry out the role of Public Officer for the SNL company. A partnership agreement will be established between NA and SNL that will enshrine a custodian role for the professional game of Netball. As the owner of SNL, NA will continue to employ all staff and all commercial arrangements will be contracted to NA in the first instance whereby a valuation will be agreed and distributed to SNL for the purposes of running the competition. This Commission would have the primary focus of realising Netball Australia’s vision of creating the number one sporting league for women in the World. The Commission will oversee and make all decisions relating to the league and bring additional and focused authority, influence and commercial leadership to ensure the long-term sustainability of the league and clubs, which is about to head into its third year of existence. SSN COMMISSION APPLICANT PACK 3 SSN COMMISSION FAQ’S Why is this happening? Why form a Commission to have oversight What is wrong with the current Netball Australia (NA) structure? of Suncorp Super Netball (SSN)? The current structure and board of NA is an effective structure to To provide a clarity of focus and accountability for both Netball oversee the many facets of Netball as a sport in Australia across Australia and SSN. At present the breadth of focus combined with the spectrum of ages, abilities and interests. However, it is a scarcity of resources is inhibiting the ability to grow and compete. acknowledged that the NA structure is not effective as it relates This is about providing a more streamlined operating model that to running a professional sports and entertainment product. can allow growth in all key measures of Suncorp Super Netball. The NA Board is a currently a governance board whereas SSN requires a more commercial focus. What is the SSN Commission? The SSN Commission will become the governing body for the What is the expected lifespan of the SSN professional women’s netball league known as Suncorp Super Netball Commission? which is about to head into its third year of existence. The commission The initial period is for three years will consist of six independent commissioners plus the CEO of Netball which runs to the end of the current Australia. Each commissioner will be selected based on a particular broadcast agreement. The lifespan skill set that is relevant to the strategic imperatives of the league beyond that will be determined over the next three years. by the level of success it achieves over that period. Key role of the Commission? To bring additional and focused authority, influence and commercial Will the Commission be independent leadership to ensure the long-term sustainability of the league. of the Board of NA? The SSN Commission will still be wholly What is the Vision for SSN? owned by NA, however, will be given the The overarching vision is to see SSN recognized as the World’s premier mandate to self-govern and lead its own female sports league. In more interim terms the goal is to see the SSN operations. NA will possess certain rights grow commercially to be sustainable at multiple levels and to improve of Veto and the NA CEO will have a the compensations for athletes. seat on the Commission also. SSN COMMISSION APPLICANT PACK 4 SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL VISION Director Commitments There will be between six to eight planned Meetings annually, held either face to #1 WOMEN’S SPORTS LEAGUE IN THE WORLD face or via video conference facilities. From time to time there may be a requirement for additional teleconferences and Directors should be available to provide support THE CHALLENGE and guidance to key SSN Executives when required. THE OPPORTUNITY EXISTS TO TRANSFORM Tenure To ensure appropriate rotation, in establishing the SSN Commission in the first NETBALL INTO A COMMERCIALLY SUSTAINABLE instance Directors positions will be appointed to a mixture of three, two and one SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCT. WE WANT year terms. NETBALL TO COMPETE WITH ALL OTHER MALE Remuneration DOMINATED CODES FOR THE HEARTS AND No payment will be made to Directors other than payment for out of pocket MINDS OF AUSTRALIAN SPORTS FANS. expenses incurred by the Director in the performance of their duties. Legal Protection for Directors KEY FOCUS Commissioners are currently indemnified through the following general indemnity clause provided at clause 42 of the company’s Constitution: TO BRING ADDITIONAL AND FOCUSED AUTHORITY, INFLUENCE AND COMMERCIAL Indemnity The company indemnifies: LEADERSHIP TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM • its office-bearers and directors, and SUSTAINABILITY OF THE LEAGUE. • its employees and agents; against any liability incurred in that capacity (other than to the company or a related body corporate), unless the liability arises out of conduct involving a lack of good faith. Directors and Officers Liability Insurance SNL provides Directors with Directors and Officers Liability Insurance up to a maximum sum of $20 million. SSN COMMISSION APPLICANT PACK 5 KEY SELECTION CRITERIA CORE COMPETENCIES PERSONAL All SNL Directors are required to have the following core Committed to realising the SNL Vision competencies. Practical understanding and personal commitment to the organisation’s goals that includes the appropriate investment of time. ROLE RELATED Integrity Knowledge of Directors duties and responsibilities Acting honestly and ethically and putting SNL An understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of a interests ahead of personal interests. Company Director as set out in the Corporations Act 2001. Team Player Strategic Thinking and Planning Able to function effectively as a team The ability to analyse and problem solve at a strategic level and member and respect agreed governance contribute to effective decision making. policies and processes. Financial Literacy Independent The ability to read and understand SNL accounts, understand Able, when required, to be curious and the financial reporting to the Board, the Financial key performance courageous, to think autonomously and measures and the financial reporting requirements of SNL. to express an independent viewpoint. Compliance and Risk Management Emotionally Intelligent Understanding of the legal and compliance environment of Ability to demonstrate self-awareness SNL and its compliance requirements. and empathy for others. Ability to work well in a group, listen carefully and be People Management aware of others emotional responses. Knowledge and understanding of current thinking on effective people management, employee engagement and staff Active Contributor remuneration. A willingness to undertake the workload required to participate effectively. SSN COMMISSION APPLICANT PACK 6 KEY SELECTION CRITERIA SPECIALIST SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES The NA Board is seeking to fill Director positions on the SNL Commission with individuals with one or more of the following areas of specialist skills and experience: Brand/Marketing/Communication Change Management Significant experience at a senior level (five years or more), formal Significant experience at a senior level and demonstrated track record qualifications and demonstrated track record of success in the brand of success with significant change management programs.