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FIFA World Cup 2026 posterJennah Wootten appointed Chief Executive of Netball New Zealand
Sport Nation • May 21st, 2026 4:00 pm
Netball NZ CEO Jennah Wootten | Photo: Photosport
Jennah Wootten will take the reins at Netball New Zealand in August, with the organisation naming one of the country’s most experienced sports administrators as its new Chief Executive.
Wootten joins NNZ from Aktive, where she has served as Chief Executive since 2021, bringing an extensive résumé across major events, governance and high performance sport.
Her career highlights include leading the hugely successful World Masters Games 2017 as Chief Executive, helping deliver the Women's Cricket World Cup 2021 and playing a key role in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Wootten, who will officially begin on August 12, said she was eager to connect with the game’s vast community.
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“I feel extremely privileged to be taking up this role,” she said. “Netball New Zealand is an organisation with an extraordinary community behind it and the Silver Ferns are one of our most beloved sporting teams.
“My career has been built on bringing people together around ambitious shared goals. I am coming into this role with enormous respect for the netball community and a real desire to keep building this sport."
"I look forward to connecting with the community and our partners, and working hard to deliver the future this sport deserves.”
NNZ Board Chair Alastair Carruthers said Wootten stood out in a highly competitive recruitment process.
“Jennah is an exceptional appointment and we are thrilled to have her bringing her considerable talent and skills to Netball New Zealand,” he said.
“She has a track record of delivering at the highest level of New Zealand sport, of building commercial and community partnerships, and of leading teams with clarity. We look forward to her leading the organisation into its next chapter.”
Interim Chief Executive Jane Patterson will remain in the role until mid August to support the transition and the Commonwealth Games campaign for the Silver Ferns.
Listen to Sport Nation's interview with Jennah Wootten below:
