Netball Australia announces ‘stepping down’ of Chair Marina Go

October 17, 2022

Netball Australia has today announced that Marina Go has stepped down as Chair of the organisation with Director Wendy Archer appointed to the role, effective immediately.

While Netball Australia has advised that Go’s move is “a planned transition”, it comes following a reported dispute between Australian Diamonds players and the governing body over a $15 million sponsorship of the sport's high performance program by mining conglomerate Hancock Prospecting.

On Saturday it emerged that the Diamonds had reverted to their old uniform - without Hancock Prospecting branding - during the opening game of their Constellation Cup series against New Zealand at Auckland’s Spark Arena last Thursday.

The move followed the players having been addressed by their former captain and current Sports Environment Alliance ambassador Sharni Norder over what she said was “doing right by the sport (and) also doing right by yourself and honouring your own values.”

Described by Netball Australia as having “played a pivotal role in driving the commercial turnaround of the sport and its strategic development since taking on the role of inaugural chair of the newly formed majority independent board of Netball Australia on an interim basis in May 2021”, Go will remain a Director.

Speaking this morning, Go stated “I am truly passionate about netball, and it has been an honour and a privilege to serve this sport over many years in my capacity as non-executive director of Netball Australia, chair of the Super Netball Commission and in May 2021, when I took on the role of chair of the new Netball Australia Board.

“I am proud of the position Netball Australia is now in - we have made strong progress on the financial stability of the sport, have secured significant new commercial partners and are continuing to identify and build new opportunities to secure a strong future for the sport, our players and our fans.”

First reported by Fox Sports, the dispute over the new sponsorship, relates to Hancock Prospecting Executive Chairman Gina Rinehart being reported as saying climate change is not a man-made phenomenon.

It also surrounds the origins of Hancock Prospecting Ltd, founded in 1955 by Rinehart’s father, the late Lang Hancock.

Hancock suggested in 1984 that Indigenous Australians should be sterilised to “breed themselves out”.

Wendy Archer
New Netball Australia Chair Wendy Archer has been a Director of the governing body since 2018 and is a lifetime member of Netball NSW. She is widely recognised for her outstanding commitment to the sport and in 2015, was awarded an Order of Australia for her services to netball.

She explains “netball is a sport I have loved since my days as a junior player and I understand both the opportunities and the challenges the game faces.

“It is a great responsibility to be appointed chair of Netball Australia and I am grateful for the confidence and support of my fellow directors. I look forward to driving the continued growth, innovation and performance of netball.”

Archer has received a Parliamentary commendation for her outstanding service to netball and her work helping to establish the state-of-the-art Netball Central in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct.

She is currently the Executive Director of InteRisk Pty Ltd, ComplyNet Pty Ltd and Australian Rescue Management Pty Ltd.

15th October 2022 - Australia’s Diamonds step back from wearing Hancock Prospecting brand during Constellation Cup

29th September 2022 - Netball Australia’s finances set to be boosted by Hancock Prospecting’s Diamonds sponsorship

13th July 2022 - Financial report reveals Netball Australia’s crisis

12th July 2022 - 21st Koori Netball Tournament to showcase talent in inclusive environment

17th June 2022 - Netball Australia reported to be on verge of financial ruin

9th April 2022 - Super Netball updates rules for COVID-impacted teams and clarifies rules for borrowed players

21st March 2022 - Netball Australia launches streaming platform for international fans

10th March 2022 - Inaugural PacificAus Sports Netball Series to be staged in Sydney

16th February 2022 - Pressure grows on Woodside Energy’s arts sponsorships

4th February 2022 - Gold Industry Group renews sponsorship deal with Netball WA

1st February 2022 - Valour Sport named Netball Queensland and Firebird’s official sportwear partner

21st December 2021 - Super Netball 2022 season schedule looks to avoid clashes with community level fixtures

15th December 2021 - Netball Queensland names new Chief Executive

5th November 2021 - Netball Australia commits to tackling online abuse

13th September 2021 - Department of Foreign Affairs to continue backing Netball Australia’s Pacific Women’s Sports Administration Program

11th September 2021 - Inclusive uniform policies keeping girls engaged with netball

4th September 2021 - Landmark pay deal agreed for Suncorp Super Netball players

9th August 2021 - Netball Australia aspires for the sport to be included in 2032 Brisbane Olympics

21st July 2021 - Lockdowns see Super Netball return to Queensland Hub

15th July 2021 - Six Super Netball clubs to relocate to Adelaide

4th June 2021 - International Netball Federation reveals new World Netball brand

9th June 2021 - Former AFL club executive named new Chief Executive at Netball Australia

3rd February 2021 - Netball Australia agrees new broadcast and digital rights partnership with Foxtel

13th November 2020 - Netball Australia’s Marne Fechner moves to become inaugural Chief Executive at AusCycling

18th June 2020 - Netball Australia to join National Redress Scheme

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