Record crowds across Suncorp Super Netball and surging broadcast audiences have helped drive Netball Australia to its third consecutive operating surplus.
Netball Australia’s full year financial results published in its Annual Report this week show an operating surplus of $650,883 for the year ended 31 December 2024 – up from 2023’s surplus of $235,657.
Netball Australia also continued to reduce its debt over the 12 months by $1.2 million and is on track to clear the debt by 2027.
Netball Australia Chief Executive Officer Stacey West said the strong result was driven by the continuing growth of Suncorp Super Netball and rising popularity of the world champion Australian Diamonds.
“In 2024, Suncorp Super Netball showed why it is the world’s biggest and best netball league, and we expect to build on this success in 2025,’’ West said.
“Across 14 rounds of the 2024 competition and finals series, 366,222 spectators walked through the gates of venues across Australia, delivering not only a 25 per cent increase on 2023 crowds, but the title of the most attended female league in Australian sporting history.
“Suncorp Super Netball also attracted the highest average crowd in Australian women’s sport, with an average of 6097 fans attending each match – up from 5069 in 2023.’’
West said 2024 was also the best performing Suncorp Super Netball season of all time on Kayo and Foxtel, and the third consecutive year of record-breaking audience growth for these channels.
The 2024 season was up 18 per cent year on year, with an average audience of 57,000 per match.
“Netball Australia’s media rights agreement with Fox Sports Australia and the partnership remains the cornerstone of Netball’s growth and visibility. This partnership is instrumental in elevating the sport by delivering world class coverage to fans,’’ she said.
“Together with Fox Sports Australia we are committed to continuing to expand the game’s reach, engaging new audiences, and showcasing the incredible talent within the sport.’’
Netball Australia’s revenue was also boosted by improved returns in events income from Diamonds events played at larger venues.
Looking to the future, West said that following three years of stronger financial results Netball Australia has strengthened its balance sheet and will be looking to make new investments to drive future growth.
“Netball’s fan base participation is growing strongly, and we are near completion in developing a 10-year strategy to ensure that growth continues which will drive successful commercial outcomes,’’ West said.
“Hosting the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia (in Sydney) presents the sport with a huge opportunity for new generations of fans to fall in love with the game. Importantly, it is also the event which delivers the investment to drive our game forward over the next four-year cycle and deliver Netball across our regions from the community to the elite.
“We are absolutely committed to making sure Netball Australia is in the best position to take advantage of the World Cup and we are investing in the game to deliver on that goal.
“We have also made significant investments to boost our Woolworths NetSetGo program and we are currently working through the future of the Suncorp Super Netball League with a view to turbo charging it for the long term.”
On the court Netball Australia and the Member Organisations collaborated to develop a new National Participation Plan to drive participation and community engagement and the Australian Diamonds maintained their winning formula at the start of 2024, finishing the year with some great opportunities to set them up for success in 2025 and beyond.
To read more about our on-court and off court performance in 2024 please download the Netball Australia Annual Report here.
