Netball New Zealand has announced a significant board shake-up with multiple people, including the chairman, deciding to step down.
It was announced this evening that four members of the board will depart to bring new leadership after a “challenging” period for the sport.
Netball NZ board chairman Matt Whineray and board members Pavan Vyas, Stephen Cottrell and Aliesha Staples have chosen to step down from their roles.
Netball NZ said the decisions came after a challenging period for the sport and broader netball community.
“The board chair and departing members recognise that there is a need for new leadership to enable renewed focus and momentum for Netball NZ,” it said in a statement.
Last year, Silver Ferns head coach Dame Noeline Taurua was suspended and then reinstated after a two-month standoff sparked by player complaints about feeling “unsafe” at a training camp in Sydney in January.
The national body also struggled to secure a new ANZ Premiership broadcast deal, a problem they will be faced with again this year after penning only a one-year deal with TVNZ.
In October, six current and former NNZ staff spoke to the Herald with concerns about the organisation’s workplace culture and called for new leadership.
The sources – who wished to remain anonymous – described a challenging and secretive environment.
They called for an overhaul of the board to introduce greater accountability.
The turbulence led the Waikato Bay of Plenty region to call for a national special general meeting in December, where they could trigger a vote of no confidence in the board and chief executive Jennie Wyllie.
While the national SGM has not taken place, the saga culminated in the resignation of Wyllie on December 18.
Whineray served on the Netball NZ board for more than eight years, including the past two-and-a-half as chair.
He said netball has long been a sport that is inclusive, accessible and deeply connected to people of all ages and backgrounds.
“This job has been deeply fulfilling and it has been an honour to serve New Zealand’s vibrant netball community over the past eight and a half years,” he said.
Whineray said he extended his gratitude to the rest of the Netball NZ board and the wider team.
“Your passion and dedication to the success of netball in New Zealand has been unwavering and I am grateful for your support,” he said.
The board said it accepted the past year has been a “significantly challenging time for Netball NZ and the wider netball community”.
“As chair, I acknowledge there is a need for a change in leadership. To this end, I firmly believe now is the right time for me to step back from the board and allow Netball NZ to appoint a new chair to guide the organisation through an important year ahead,” Whineray said.
Netball NZ president Tina Karaitiana said she acknowledged Whineray’s significant contribution to the sport.
“Matt joined the board back in 2017 and since then has helped guide the organisation through national sporting successes, including Constellation Cup wins, seeing the local ANZ Premiership competition flourish, and marking 100 years of netball in New Zealand.
“Thank you, Matt, for your contributions to Netball NZ over the past eight years,” Karaitiana said.
She also recognised the expertise, diligence and support Vyas, Cottrell and Staples have provided Netball NZ during their tenures.
Over the next week, Netball NZ said it will commence a robust recruitment process to find suitable replacements for the board chair and board member roles.
All departing board members, including the chair, will remain in their roles until replacements are appointed, Netball NZ said.
“Appointing a new board chair is a priority for the organisation as the incoming chair will take responsibility for managing the recruitment of Netball NZ’s new CEO,” Netball NZ said.
Interim CEO Jane Patterson will continue to guide the organisation until this process is complete.
Karaitiana said Netball NZ is committed to ensuring a smooth transition as the organisation focuses on a busy 2026.
“With the 10th year of the ANZ Premiership commencing in April, and the upcoming Commonwealth Games from July, our focus now is on building an enduring future for netball in Aotearoa,” she said.