Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie resigns after turbulent year for the sport
Thursday, 18 December 2025
Jennie Wyllie has called time on her nine years as Netball New Zealand chief executive after a turbulent year for the sport.
NNZ said in a statement on Thursday, Wyllie had advised the board of her decision to step down, to take time with her family and explore other opportunities.
Wyllie oversaw the Dame Noeline Taurua saga which cast a cloud over the sport in New Zealand. The decorated Silver Ferns coach was stood down on the eve of the South Africa series due to concerns around the team’s high performance environment, and didn’t coach them for the rest of 2025 before being reinstated for next year.
Wyllie has been with NNZ for 16 years, and became chief executive in 2016.
NNZ chair Matt Whineray said: “Jennie has guided the organisation through significant change and challenge, and we wish her all the very best for the future.”
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In a statement, Wyllie said: “It has been a privilege to work with such talented and passionate people, and I am thankful for the opportunities and many memorable moments.
“There have also been challenges along the way, which come with any leadership role. Now, it feels right to focus on my family and look ahead to new opportunities.”
Wyllie’s resignation comes two weeks after a special general meeting was called within the Waikato-Bay of Plenty zone over concerns with NNZ’s governance and leadership. As per the NNZ constitution, three zones are required to request a NNZ Special General Meeting.
NNZ endured a highly challenging 2025. There was major uncertainty about the future of the ANZ Premiership domestic competition with the 2026 competition finally confirmed in May.
Issues around a netball broadcast deal have also plagued NNZ. Next year, the ANZ Premiership will return to free-to-air TVNZ. Sky, the home of netball since 2008, did not make an offer for the broadcast rights.
NNZ’s deal with TVNZ is understood to be substantially less than previous years. The governing body is investing its own resources into the production and delivery of the 2026 competition.
This year, NNZ trialled free-to-air coverage of the ANZ Premiership, showing Saturday games live on TVNZ. NNZ produced the Saturday game, which screened exclusively on TVNZ, and was shown on Sky on delay.
Until then, it had appeared as if New Zealand’s best netballer, star shooter Grace Nweke, would be barred from wearing the black dress because she was playing for the NSW Swifts in Australia.
Wyllie was chief executive for some impressive Silver Ferns’ results, including the 2019 Netball World Cup title in Liverpool, which came just 11 months after Taurua was appointed as coach. The Silver Ferns also ended a nine-year Constellation Cup drought against Australia in 2021 and captured the trophy again in 2024.
The NNZ board will begin its search for a new CEO next month. David Cooper will be the acting CEO until Wyllie’s replacement is found, Whineray said.