Former cricketer to drive Netball ACT as new CEO

With first-class experience as a cricketer and more than 25 years as an executive and general manager in the insurance and finance sectors, Netball ACT’s new CEO David Marjoribanks says he is looking forward to building the organisation as one of the premier sporting codes in the ACT.

His appointment to the position comes as Netball ACT cut ties with the Canberra Giants netball franchise following record crowds at Super Netball games in Canberra this season.

However, he told Region Media that netball fans in the ACT region will definitely have access to plenty of elite-level games in Canberra.

“We’re in discussions at the moment about trying to maintain the hosting of games at the Super Netball level, and we’ll be doing everything we can to continue to provide that level of netball to the Canberra community in 2020.

“I can’t say how that will look at this point in time but I expect we’ll have something to say in the coming weeks,” David said.

His appointment to lead Netball ACT follows recent announcements that Canberra teams would compete in the NSW Premier League and Australian Netball League franchises next year.

David has also been heavily involved in cricket at first grade and representative levels in Newcastle and has captained NSW Country against international touring teams.

He says he understands what it takes to lead a team and an organisation, and he will use those skills for his vision to boost the ranks of those playing netball at all levels in the Canberra region.

“I’ve had that experience in terms of the path that sits in front of athletes who are playing their chosen sport at the best possible level, so I understand the views of athletes, which I see as a real positive coming into this role.

“At the end of the day, what organisations like Netball ACT are about is providing those pathways for athletes who want to perform at the best level they possibly can,” David said.

In David’s first-class cricket life, he was a member of the Bradman first XI cricket team in 1998. He is also a life member of the Australian Cricketers’ Association.

With an undeniable passion for sport, David said he is looking forward to making a genuine contribution to the Netball ACT community.

“I’ll definitely be transitioning the skillsets that I have into taking the sport forward in the ACT,” David said. “Hopefully the commercial experience and business acumen that I’ve developed over the years will help us do that.”

He is also sure to get a little bit of advice from his three daughters who have each played netball; however, David is quick to reassure us that “people don’t have to worry about seeing me playing on a netball court anytime soon”.

David hails from Newcastle and has been in Canberra for the last 16 years. In the meantime, his learning curve will be on a high arc as he gets to know the five associations that sit under Netball ACT.

“I’ll definitely be getting out to meet with as many people as I can to understand the challenges and issues that we need to tackle together,” David says.

These include everything from providing better facilities to the delivery of netball programs and competition for the more than 10,000 registered Canberra netballers.

“The grassroots of netball is where it all starts for us and I’ll certainly be keeping a high degree of focus on that as well.

“I think one of the key areas is going to be the opportunity to provide for new facilities and the ongoing maintenance and improvement of our current facilities,” David said.

He said Netball ACT will also award its homegrown heroes with a couple of cash awards at the upcoming Netball ACT presentation night in November.

However, his immediate focus is securing licencing arrangements for the Capital Spirit in the NSW Premier League and a yet-to-be-named side in the Australian Netball League.

“It’s an exciting time for Canberra netballers wanting to step into the Australian netball structure, and we’ll be doing everything that we can to ensure that the coaching, the facilities and the programs available to our netballers are first-class.”

Netball ACT president Louise Bilston said David’s commercial and leadership qualities will be instrumental in delivering the next phase of organisational growth for the organisation.

“His personal sporting experience, passion for sport and community, and his ability to drive strategic direction will underpin his mission to grow and succeed our sport within Canberra and the region,” Louise said.