Kirrily Zimmerman appointed to Netball Australia board, further position remains vacant

After twelve months of administrative chaos, a new director has joined the Netball Australia board. But as LINDA PEARCE reports, uncertainty remains with one position unfilled.

Linda Pearce

@LindaCPearce

less than 2 min read

January 24, 2024 - 3:39PM

Kirrily Zimmerman (left) is joining the board of Netball Australia Picture: Steve Tanner

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One of the two Netball Australia board seats left empty after the most tumultuous year in the sport’s history has been filled.

Former Netball Victoria president and long-serving state director Kirrily Zimmerman will take up an elected casual vacancy, replacing Queenslander Jane Seawright, who resigned mid year. Zimmerman will thus be up for election at the Annual General in Meeting in May.

A second position remains open after former Chair Marino Go quietly stepped aside prior to Christmas, just days after the resignation of embattled CEO Kelly Ryan.

Current Chair Wendy Archer said Zimmerman would offer expertise through her experience at community level, in particular. The Melbourne-based accountant sits on the Victorian Hall of Fame and Legends of the Game committee and is an international bench official.

Indeed, she was on duty during last year’s controversial Super Netball game between the Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood, in which the Vixens took two consecutive centre passes after the umpires failed to recognise the error despite vocal protests from the Pies. The process has since been changed.

The Magpies and Vixens clashed in a controversial match last year. Picture: Getty Images

“Kirrilly has demonstrated decades of commitment to growing the sport at a grassroots level and creating strong pathways to the elite level,’’ Archer said in a statement.

“Netball’s participation has grown to over one million players nationally and we welcome Kirrilly’s passion and experience as we continually work hard to find new ways to connect with current and future generations of girls and women to continue the continued growth of the game we love.’’

Liz Ellis, a potential director and former Diamonds’ captain who signalled her interest in a board position earlier last year, met with NA chair Wendy Archer during the poisonous period that ended with the resignation of the divisive Ryan in December.

Both Zimmerman, who expressed in the official statement her excitement to be involved at a national level, and Ellis were contacted for comment by CODE Sports.

Other than Archer, present board members are Peter Legg, Todd Deacon, John O’Sullivan, Gabbi Stubbs, Monica Legg, athlete’s representative Mo’onia Gerrard and First Nations director Cheryl Kickett-Tucker. Further change is expected.