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EXCLUSIVE: Calls for leadership resignations at Netball NZ
Alex Chapman • September 17th, 2025 2:03 pm
Jennie Wyllie | Photo: Photosport
There are growing calls for wholesale change at Netball New Zealand with fears over a lack of leadership within the organisation.
Half a dozen anonymous sources who have spoken to Sport Nation have expressed grave and mounting concerns over the board and CEO Jennie Wyllie.
As one source said “their actions have portrayed a lack of care for the game and its people.”
Another said they’re shocked that the board hadn’t forced Wyllie to come back to New Zealand last week, after Sport Nation first revealed that some players have refused to play under Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua.
Taurua didn’t want to speak when contacted by Sport Nation.
It’s understood Wyllie left the country to travel to the youth World Cup (scheduled to start September 19), the day before the initial report and on annual leave.
NNZ subsequently confirmed Dame Noeline won’t oversee the side for the upcoming Taini Jamison series against South Africa, though one source said “they have done nothing to try and solve the in-house issues.”
Speaking of Wyllie, another said “she is ruining the organisation and the sport.”
Wyllie is yet to publicly speak, though her absence is understood be just the latest frustration from stakeholders, alongside a lack of - and subsequent delay - to confirming a broadcast deal for the ANZ Premiership, as well as clarity over eligibility standards.
It’s believed at least 20 employees have left NNZ in the last two years, with some suggesting over half left either directly or indirectly because of “the lack of leadership.”
Since the news broke last week, NNZ has fronted with chairman Matt Whineray and interim CEO David Cooper, but Wyllie has not yet been made available to speak regarding the situation.
In response to Sport Nation’s report, Whineray provided this statement:
"Like a lot of organisations, Netball NZ has had to deal with an incredibly challenging operating environment over the past two years.
“ This has required us to restructure and reduce our head office staff numbers. Some of our people were made redundant and some have chosen to leave during that period.
“All change processes are tough, and we accept those affected will have strong feelings about it.
“People are entitled to their opinions. The only way for us to change the minds of anonymous critics is through how we move forward and champion netball, and that is our focus right now."
Tune into Sport Nation for live free-to-air commentary on all games in the Taini Jamison Trophy series
