'The timing felt right': Netball Australia chief Kelly Ryan quits following lengthy pay war

Kelly Ryan has quit as chief executive of Netball Australia, effective immediately.

During her tenure, Ryan pulled the sport out of two years of massive financial losses, but came under increasing pressure over the past 12 months for the way her administration handled the CPA negotiations and also the Hancock Prospecting logo saga.

Players have now gone some 10 weeks without pay, and remain essentially unemployed since the previous CPA expired on September 30.

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All eight Super Netball Clubs – including the brand new Melbourne Mavericks side – have effectively ground to a halt.

Ryan told the board of her decision on Tuesday morning, having been at the helm through one of the most tumultuous periods of the sport's history.

"Having reached an in-principle agreement on the CPA pay deal, and watched with pride as our Diamonds won the Commonwealth Games and the Netball World Cup, the timing felt right to hand over the reins to a new leader," Ryan said in a statement.

"During my time as CEO I have delivered on the objectives of the Board.

"We overcame the challenges of coronavirus pandemic to continue a national competition through border closures, experienced strong growth in the national competition, grew netball's already strong participation numbers, and strengthened the games' finances."

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

Netball Australia chair Wendy Archer said Ryan had made an "enormous contribution" to the sport.

"She has shown great resilience and integrity during her leadership over her time as CEO," she said.

NA's performance boss Stacey West has been appointed acting chief executive.