Netball WA is pleased to announce it has appointed highly regarded executive Simone Hansen as its Chief Executive Officer.
Hansen will take up her new role on April 6 and brings to the organisation almost two decades of senior leadership experience, having held key executive positions in the banking and finance sector across Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Most recently, she was the WA State Manager for Aussie Home Loans, and prior to that, WA State Manager for Bendigo Bank.
Hansen is also currently a member of the Western Australian Football Commission’s Women in Football Advisory Committee, and a Non-Executive Director of the Australian Institute of Management WA.
Her appointment follows an extensive and competitive recruitment process by the Netball WA Board.
Hansen said she was delighted to be joining the Netball WA team.
“It’s a great privilege to be appointed to lead Netball WA, and to be able to drive the ongoing growth and development of a sport that I’ve had a lifelong connection with – first as a player in my youth, and now as a supporter watching my daughter play in both the winter and spring netball seasons,” she said.
“I’m very much looking forward to continuing to lift engagement and participation across all of netball in Western Australia, and really connecting the sport with the local community.
“This is a uniquely diverse business, encompassing the grassroots and community sporting level, the success of West Coast Fever as part of the elite national competition, and the incredible outcomes of the Shooting Stars program.
“Netball in Western Australia enjoys enormous goodwill and support at every level, and I look forward to building on that strong platform to capitalise on some of the incredible opportunities that lie ahead.”
Netball WA President Grant Robinson said Hansen’s appointment was an exciting one for the sport in Western Australia.
“Simone’s resume speaks for itself – she’s an incredibly accomplished businesswoman, and an innovative and outcomes-focused leader,” he said.“
“She brings with her key strengths in stakeholder engagement, financial and commercial acumen and getting the very best out of her teams by empowering them to be the best they can be. We’re very fortunate to have secured a leader of her calibre to take the helm of our great sport in Western Australia.”
The announcement of the new CEO follows the recent appointments of Sue Gaudion to the role of West Coast Fever General Manager (Pathways and Performance) and Suzanne Ardagh as Chair of the West Coast Fever board.
“Simone’s appointment marks the third key leadership appointment in netball in Western Australia in recent weeks – all to strong, experienced and highly-qualified women,” said Robinson.
“On behalf of the Netball WA Board, our staff and the more than 240,000 members of the netball community across the State, I’m delighted to extend a warm welcome to Simone and her family and look forward to working alongside her to achieve our vision of being the sport of choice in WA.”
Robinson also thanked Garry Chandler for his efforts as Netball WA’s Acting CEO over the past six months.
Chandler will now return to his position as General Manager of People & Culture whilst continuing involvement with various key initiatives.
“Garry’s support over this period has been invaluable, and I thank him for his dedication, hard work and commitment to the organisation,” Robinson said.
