IFNA appoint new CEO

Monday, May 26, 2008

By Netball Australia/IFNA

Sports lawyer, Urvasi Naidoo has been appointed CEO of the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA).

A former Senior Counsel at the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Brand Protection Lawyer for the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, Naidoo has extensive experience in the legal, operational, commercial and managerial issues confronting sports entities and events.

Naidoo will manage IFNA`s relationships with key partners including the national netball associations, The Commonwealth Games Federation, Standard Chartered Bank, Gilbert, Haymarket, and the World Academy of Sport.

With the development of the first semi-professional league - the ANZ Championship – and the success of the 2007 World Netball Championships in Auckland, netball internationally is poised for immense commercial and participation growth.

Naidoo is looking forward to the challenge of leading IFNA at such a vibrant time in the sport’s development.

“Netball is a vibrant and exciting global game and it is perfectly poised for expansion,” she said.

“I am joining at a time when the popularity of the game is going from strength to strength, new markets are opening up in all five regions and established markets such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand are experiencing an exhilarating reinvention.

“I will seek to use all my expertise and strengths to help propel both the Federation and the game through the exciting and challenging times that lay ahead.”

IFNA President, Molly Rhone said Naidoo brings an impressive skill set to the role.

“The skills and knowledge Urvasi brings, and in particular her experience with a much more mature International Federation, will help strengthen IFNA`s relationships with our Regional Federations and Member Associations and help to support the development of talented players, coaches, umpires and administrators,” she said.

“We view this as vital to the success of our international events, making them even more competitive, entertaining and commercial."

International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) is the sole governing body for netball throughout the world. IFNA has 58 members grouped into 5 Regions - Africa, Asia, Americas, Europe and Oceania - each with their own Regional Federation.