Netball Super League | Netball Super League confirms new Board of Directors to lead the League into the new era of professionalisation

The Board of Directors, which now features major leaders from across the sports industry with specific commercial growth expertise, will ensure the League remains at the forefront of good governance.

The Netball Super League (NSL) is delighted to confirm the Board of Directors who will lead the strategic direction of the organisation moving forwards. Marking a pivotal moment for the NSL ahead of the relaunch in 2025, the new Board will bring diverse experience to support the plans for growth and to deliver on the ambition to become the world’s most competitive, engaging and commercially vibrant League in the world.

The full lineup of the NSL Board will be:

Tracy Clarke; Non-Executive Director (Independent Chair)

Claire Nelson, NSL Managing Director

Richard Kenyon; Non-Executive Director

Christopher Matthews; Non-Executive Director

Sandra Pope; Non-Executive Director

David Stubley; Non-Executive Director

Lucy Wray; Non-Executive Director

Discussing the new Board, Claire Nelson, NSL Managing Director said: “We were delighted to attract this calibre of candidates for the Board that will significantly strengthen the leadership team and really help to move the dial ahead of our relaunch. To have attracted incredible expertise from different industries speaks volumes as to where our sport is at, and I’m excited for this team to work together and make real progress with this new knowledge and experience to draw on.”

All roles on the Board will be taken up with immediate effect.

In making the announcement, the NSL has confirmed the appointment of Richard Kenyon and Christopher Matthews marking their first official roles within the sport of netball. Richard brings more than 15 years’ experience from senior leadership roles within sport, currently operating as Chief Commercial and Communications Officer at Premier League side Everton Football Club. During more than a decade at Everton he has overseen record demand for tickets and growth in attendances while also achieving significant increases in other revenue streams, including growing the Club’s partnership portfolio.

Christopher Matthews is a sports, media and entertainment leader who is currently the Global Lead, Strategy & Business Development at Amazon where he leads the global partnerships across properties. He has held previous leadership roles at 3PL, Relevant Sports Group and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Tracy Clarke brings a wealth of business and governance experience across multiple sectors. She was a Non-Executive Director for England Netball between 2015-2023 and currently sits on the boards of Haleon plc, TPICAP plc and Starling Bank. As the former CEO Europe and Americas of Standard Chartered plc, she enjoyed a distinguished 35-year career with the bank across a broad portfolio of P&L leadership, compliance, HR, corporate affairs, brand and marketing roles.

Lucy Wray is the current owner of London Mavericks, and an experienced executive and Board member from the world of professional sport and entrepreneurial start-ups having most recently worked as Group CEO at Saracens.

Sandra Pope joined ICM in 1999 and is now the Chief Operating Officer and a Director of ICM Investment Management Limited. She has over thirty years of experience in corporate finance and is a director of several private companies including Harlequins Football Club Ltd as well as London Pulse Netball. Along with Lucy Wray, Sandra will represent the NSL Clubs on the Board.

David Stubley has been an Independent Director at England Netball since 2022 and has spent the last ten years working as a Board advisor to a portfolio of high-growth companies within the sport, media and technology sectors, and the twenty years prior working in senior brand marketing and commercial television roles. He is currently Chair of FUSE, Chair of Eleven Sports Media and Board Advisor to Twenty First Group.

The Netball Players Association (NPA) will support the Board on all player matters to ensure the player voice is represented.

Fran Connolly, Chief Executive Officer at England Netball added: “Following the launch of our professionalisation plans and the new look League earlier this year, we are delighted to be able to confirm the list of transformational leaders who will form the new NSL Board and are charged with accelerating the growth of the elite domestic game in this country, providing more careers both on and beyond the court in the years to come. The Board composition demonstrates a blend of significant experience from different sectors and industries that will be instrumental in driving the League forward.”

The NSL will relaunch next season when it gets underway in March 2025, culminating with the Grand Final at The O2 in July.

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