Louisa Wall: Former Silver Fern and Labour MP calls for independent review of Netball NZ’s lack of transparency after Jennie Wyllie resignation

Former Silver Fern and Labour MP Louisa Wall has criticised Netball New Zealand’s lack of transparency after the exit of CEO Jennie Wyllie.

The chief executive resigned yesterday on the back of continued calls for leadership change.

Wall said greater accountability needs to be taken by the board.

“Boards are responsible for ensuring fair process and sound governance. In this case, a flawed process was allowed to escalate into reputational and organisational damage, and that requires board-level accountability.”

The Waikato Bay of Plenty zone formally called for a national Special General Meeting for a vote of no confidence in the board and CEO, although two other zones need to do the same for it to happen.

Louisa Wall and Jennie Wyllie. Photos / NZ Herald; Photosport

Wyllie has overseen a tumultuous year, which has included the battle to secure a television broadcast deal for the ANZ Premiership, changing Silver Ferns eligibility criteria and, most significantly, the standing down of national coach Dame Noeline Taurua.

Netball New Zealand (NNZ) declined to comment on Wall’s statements.

Labour MP Willie Jackson yesterday labelled Wyllie a “sacrificial lamb” and called for board chair Matt Whineray to make himself available to media for questioning.

However, NNZ also declined to comment on Jackson’s staements.

Wall said it is disappointing no one from NNZ is fronting.

“Netball New Zealand is accountable to its members and the public, and ongoing silence only deepens concerns about transparency and trust.

“There needs to be an independent review of governance and high-performance processes, including the role of High Performance Sport New Zealand, and a genuine commitment to transparency and fair process going forward.”

Wall said Wyllie’s resignation is “significant but not surprising”.

“The handling of the Taurua situation exposed serious failures of leadership and process within Netball New Zealand, and those failures inevitably carry consequences at the executive level.”

Wall said Wyllie’s resignation is not enough.

“This was not an isolated issue. It reflects systemic problems in governance and decision-making that won’t be resolved by a single resignation.”

Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.