The sport’s governing body is now in a position to push the growth of Super Netball. Photo: Netball Australia
Last year has been good for Netball Australia with an operating surplus of $650,883 for 2024 and $1.2 million less debt.
Its full year financial results were published in its annual report which was recently released.
Netball Australia (NA) says it is on track to clear its debt by 2027.
Chief Executive Officer Stacey West says the strong result is due to the growing popularity of Super Netball and the drawing power of the world champion Diamonds.
“In 2024, Super Netball showed why it is the world’s biggest and best netball league. We expect to build on this success in 2025,’’ West says.
Across 14 rounds of the 2024 competition and finals, 366,222 spectators attended games, a 25 per cent increase on 2023 crowds.
“Super Netball also attracted the highest average crowd in Australian women’s sport, with an average of 6097 fans attending each match – up from 5069 in 2023,” West says.
TV AUDIENCE BOOST
The CEO says 2024 is the best performing Super Netball season for viewers on pay TV and a third consecutive year of record-breaking audience growth.
The 2024 season was up 18 per cent year on year, with an average viewing audience of 57,000 per match, NA says.
“Netball Australia’s media rights agreement …. and partnership remains the cornerstone of netball’s growth. This partnership is instrumental in elevating the sport by delivering world class coverage to fans,’’ she says.
NA says its revenue was boosted by greater income as a result of Diamonds games at larger venues.
Another boost has been confirmation that netball will be part of the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
West says that three years of stronger financial results means it can spend more to drive future growth.
“Netball’s fan base participation is growing strongly; we are near completion in developing a 10-year strategy to ensure that growth continues, which will drive successful commercial outcomes,’’ she says.
“Hosting the 2027 Netball World Cup presents the sport with a huge opportunity for new generations of fans to fall in love with the game.”
