The NSW Swifts and Netball NSW would like to thank outgoing Executive General Manager Kath Tetley for her outstanding service to the Club over the past two seasons.
Tetley will depart the Swifts to take up the Head Coach role at the Scottish Thistles as they bid to qualify for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
As part of her Glasgow-based role, Tetley will also lead Netball Scotland’s High-Performance Program.
A highly-experienced and respected sports administrator, Tetley has been a stalwart of netball in NSW for three decades and has worked at the Swifts across each National League era: Commonwealth Bank Trophy (1997-2007), trans-Tasman ANZ Championship (2008-2016) and Suncorp Super Netball (2017-present).
Also an accredited high-performance coach, Tetley was part of the NSW 17U coaching team that delivered gold at the 2022 Nationals, while she led the GWS Fury Under 20s to a title in the Netball NSW Premier League.
Part of the World Netball-appointed executive team that delivered the hugely successful 2015 World Cup in Sydney (including a world-record crowd at Qudos Bank Arena), Tetley rejoined the Swifts as General Manager in late 2022 before helping the Club to a record 13th Grand Final in 27 years the next season.
As of 2024, she has helped the Swifts achieve a record number of members and crowd average attendances of over 7,000 per game, including numerous 10,000-strong sellouts at Ken Rosewall Arena.
“The people, the team, the history, the fans and the members are what makes the Swifts such a special Club,” Tetley said.
“It has been a privilege to again work for the Club and this season has been one of the most significant since I first worked at the Swifts in the late 90s.
“With growth of the Club membership, fan base, commercial partners, new products, fan innovations and program development, Swifts games are now major events on the NSW sporting landscape.
“But most importantly it is the brand of netball that Briony Akle and her players produce that really excites fans.
“While we may miss out on Finals this year, I know this group will rebound because they are proven champions both on court and off it.
“I’d like to thank to thank Netball NSW Chair Sallianne Faulkner, Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott and the Board of Directors for their support in bringing the next evolution of the Swifts to life.
“I also want to thank Briony, her players and her amazing high-performance team for epitomizing the core values of team-first and always doing what is best for the game and the Club.
“Of course, behind them there is an equally passionate off-court office team that rides every wave with the on-court team and I know they will continue to ensure the voice of the Club and what it represents continues to be the leader for women in sport in NSW.
“While my new role in Scotland is hugely exciting, I will continue to have the Swifts in my heart and look forward to being a fan again and cheering loud from up north.”
Netball NSW CEO Scott added:
“Kath has been a stalwart of the Swifts since the very early days and despite taking her expertise to other industries and organisations at various times, she was never too far away.
“From early title wins when the Club was known as the Sydney Swifts to the rebrand as NSW Swifts in 2008 and going on to become Australia’s most successful professional netball franchise over three decades, Kath has been a key member of the team.
“The crowds at Swifts games this year are not just a testament to our on-court team, but Kath’s vision for making a Swifts Game Day a huge event which engages all sports fans. This year’s record membership and attendances have set a new benchmark and we are hugely grateful for her efforts.
“There are very few roles that could take Kath away from the Swifts, but we understand that this opportunity in Scotland is once-in-a-lifetime. Kath is not just a fine administrator, she is a hugely respected coach and now is the time for her to explore that part of her netball skillset.
“We wish her all the very best but know that she will always be a cherished member of our Swifts family.”
