Netball Australia boss Kelly Ryan drops a bombshell after pay war left shattered stars ‘sleeping in their cars’

Embattled Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan has resigned after a turbulent time in charge, including a recent ugly and emotional standoff with players over their new salary deal.

Ryan, who takes up her role in 2021, informed the Netball Australia Board of Directors on Tuesday of her decision, which is effective immediately.

With a new pay deal agreed last week, Ryan said it was time to “hand over the reins to a new leader”.

“Having reached agreement in principle on the CPA Salary Agreement and proudly watched our Diamonds win the Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup, we felt the time was right to hand over the reins to new leadership,” she said.

Netball Australia chief executive Kelly Ryan has stepped down from her post immediately after leading a bitter pay battle that has torn the sport apart this year.

Star player Joe Weston has been left in tears in a bitter civil war over money that began after Gina Rinehart withdrew $15 million in sponsorship from the sport.

“During my tenure as CEO, I achieved the goals of the Board of Directors. We have overcome the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic to continue national competitions through border closures, achieved significant growth in national competitions, increased netball’s already high participation numbers and strengthened funding for the games.

“Netball Australia has a wonderful team of people who work tirelessly for the sport and I thank them for their continued efforts and support.”

Last month, former Diamonds captain Catherine Harby-Williams confirmed many Super Netball players were struggling as their futures were uncertain, with star defender and Australian Netball Association president Jo Weston breaking down in tears in front of TV cameras on Thursday over the troubles. situation hit the target.

Diamonds star Sophie Garbin also revealed that the Australian Cricketers’ Association has stepped in to provide financial assistance to some players.

Ryan is pictured at this year’s Australian Netball Awards, which many players boycotted during a pay battle with the governing body.

The sport has been in disarray since mining magnate Gina Rinehart pulled out of a $15 million Diamonds sponsorship last October.

At the time, the team raised concerns about comments made by Ms Rinehart’s late father Lang Hancock about Indigenous people in the 1980s.

Indigenous player Donnell Wallam was reportedly uncomfortable wearing a kit with the Hancock Prospecting logo.

Harbie Williams, who is also CEO of the netball players’ union, said the ongoing saga had taken its toll and Weston’s tears in front of the cameras were a prime example.

“We’re desperate to get a deal done for these players because that’s the emotional toll you’re seeing right now,” she said.

“I had players who were sobbing and crying; players slept in their cars; players had to leave their homes and move across the country back to their families.”

Courtney Bruce is pictured after winning one of the top gongs at the Netball Australia Awards last month. Diamonds players were threatened with legal action if they did not attend the event.

The Stars also boycotted the Netball Australia Awards in late November as the dispute dragged on.

Netball Australia chairwoman Wendy Archer thanked Ryan for her commitment to the sport.

“Kelly Ryan has made a huge contribution to our sport in her time as head of netball in Australia,” Archer said.

“She has demonstrated great resilience and integrity during her leadership as CEO.”