Former TVNZ chairman Alastair Carruthers has been appointed board chair by Netball New Zealand.
Carruthers has leadership experience across New Zealand’s legal, commercial, media, arts and public sectors. As well as TVNZ, he has also chaired the New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Arts Council, and been chief executive of leading commercial law firms, Chapman Tripp and Kensington Swan (now Dentons). He is the current chair of the Cornwall Park Trust Board and a director of several commercial and public entities.
Carruthers begins in the role in mid-May and has been appointed for a three-year term. He replaces Matt Whineray, who announced his departure in February after a turbulent 2025.
Carruthers said he was honoured to take on theNetball NZ (NNZ) chair role and was looking forward to supporting and growing the game.
“Netball has been treasured by generations of girls, women and New Zealanders for over 100 years,” said Carruthers.
“I love the game, and it’s a privilege to step into this next phase of stewardship and development, amid a period of great change, challenge and opportunity across the sporting landscape.”
As reported by the Herald in September, Carruthers departed TVNZ by “mutual agreement” with the Government. It was described as “early retirement” in a Treasury document released under the Official Information Act.
Carruthers will oversee the appointment of a permanent CEO for the organisation, with Jane Patterson in charge until the end of the Commonwealth Games.
He will also join the Board Appointments Panel to fill independent director vacancies left by Pavan Vyas, Stephen Cottrell and Aliesha Staples, who stepped down alongside Whineray in February.
Carruthers was picked from more than 80 applicants for independent director roles on the NNZ board.
The company director is joined on the board by former Silver Fern Anna Galvan, who was elected at March’s annual general meeting.
“Netball is in my DNA,” said Galvan. “It has shaped who I am as a leader and as a person. It has given me lifelong friendships, purpose and opportunity.”
“I want our sport to thrive, not only for my daughters, but for my daughters’ daughters, and the children who want to play netball in future generations.”
NNZ president Dr Tina Karaitiana says the organisation is thrilled to have the pair joining the board.
“Alastair brings a wealth of experience to this role, while Anna has been part of our netball whānau for more than 40 years,” said Karaitiana.
“This is a huge win for New Zealand’s netball community. We’re delighted to welcome Alastair and Anna to their respective roles, and we look forward to working with them.”
Galvan has been involved in netball for over 40 years, chaired the Christchurch Netball Centre, serves on the Tactix Management Committee and was formally on the NNZ Life Membership Committee.
The Commonwealth Games medallist replaces fellow former test netballer Julie Coney, who opted not to seek re-election.
The pair will join elected NNZ board members Sue Gordon and Lynette Rayner.
With three board roles yet to be filled, five of the seven-strong board will be new.
It follows the appointment of new Silver Ferns assistant coach Briony Akle last week.
A new CEO needs to be in place before they can appoint a permanent head of high performance. Chelsea Lane is filling the role in an interim capacity after the departure of Stephen Hotter.
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.