Netball Australia has appointed Mark Falvo as its permanent Chief Executive Officer, tasking the experienced sports administrator with leading the organisation through its next phase of growth.
Falvo has served as Interim CEO since April 2026 and will continue to oversee Netball World Cup Sydney 2027, where he has been CEO since June 2025.
Jane Fernandez will take over as permanent CEO of Netball World Cup Sydney 2027.
Extensive sports leadership experience
Falvo joined Netball Australia after more than 15 years at Football Australia, where he held senior positions including Deputy General Secretary and Chief Operating Officer.
During his tenure, he played a key role in Australia's successful bid for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 and its legacy, negotiated equal pay and conditions for the Socceroos and Matildas, and contributed to football's growth across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
He has also held senior roles on major sporting events, including Chief Operating Officer of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.
His experience spans governance, commercial growth, stakeholder engagement, government relations and major event delivery.
Netball enters a pivotal phase
Netball Australia Chair Liz Ellis AO said Falvo's commercial and strategic experience made him the preferred candidate following an extensive search.
"The Netball Australia Board undertook an extensive and considered search for our new Chief Executive, and we were delighted by the calibre of the candidates. The interest in and momentum for netball continues to build and we are in a pivotal moment for our game," Ms Ellis said.
"Ultimately, we appointed Mark because of his proven ability to create long-term value for national sporting organisations, his very strong financial and commercial capabilities, and his depth of experience in corporate strategy, major event legacy planning and collective bargaining.
"Mark provides significant experience in supercharging women's sport, as he helped to do with the Matildas and the FIFA Women's World Cup. He has actively demonstrated his care and respect for netball over the past year, and he provides us with extensive industry knowledge, relationships and market credibility.”
Growth, World Cup and Olympic ambitions
Falvo takes charge as Netball Australia looks to build on momentum around professional netball, a new five-year broadcast deal with Nine Entertainment and the upcoming Netball World Cup in Sydney.
The sport is also eyeing the prospect of Olympic inclusion, creating a significant opportunity for the organisation to expand its commercial and sporting footprint.
"Netball is already a superpower in Australian sport, as the largest sport for women and girls and one that is rapidly growing for men and boys," Falvo said.
"The ingredients for continued growth in our professional Super Netball league, backed by our new five-year broadcast deal with Nine Entertainment, the opportunity presented by a home World Cup in Sydney next year, and the prospect of Olympic inclusion creates a once in a generation opportunity to set the game up for the long-term,” he added.
"My role will be to capitalise on this rare moment and create long-term value for the entire game, as well as improve the operational, financial and governance performance of Netball Australia,” he further said.
"Working together across our vast netball ecosystem, we have the opportunity to create a legacy that will ensure the strength and endurance of our game into the next centenary and it's an honour and privilege to lead this work. I take on the role of custodian of the game with significant respect for the people within this sport who continue to contribute and lead at every level of the game,” Falvo concluded.
With Falvo now confirmed as CEO, he will also become a director of Netball Events, the company responsible for delivering Netball World Cup Sydney 2027.