Vitality Rose Stacey Francis-Bayman has been named in World Netball’s ‘Voice of the Athlete’ Working Group following the launch of its strategic plan.
Under its core strategic pillar, ‘Govern’, World Netball highlights the importance of working collaboratively with those that live and breathe netball every day in order to develop the sport.
The Voice of the Athlete Working Group will begin this process by working together throughout 2021 to determine a suitable framework for a future Athletes Commission, which will be established following recommendations by the Working Group to the World Netball Board.
Discussing her involvement, Francis-Bayman said: “To be involved in the first World Netball, Voice of the Athlete Working Group is a great privilege.
“I am incredibly invigorated and passionate about being able to use my ‘seat at the table’ to be able to add creative, athlete-centred ideas that will help to drive evolution, growth and engagement across the international game.”
Alongside Francis-Bayman, the following athletes will make up the Voice of the Athlete Working Group following a successful recruitment campaign in April 2021:
Liz Watson – Australia
Francinah Eyman – Botswana
Bryony Rovegno – Gibraltar
Malysha Kelly – Jamaica
Katrina Rore – New Zealand
Auteletoa Tanimo – Samoa
Emily Nicholl – Scotland
Aqilah Andin – Singapore
Samantha Wallace – Trinidad & Tobago
World Netball President, Liz Nicholl CBE, said: “World Netball is committed to ensuring the voice of the athlete is at the heart of our decision-making.
“This Working Group has been appointed to develop recommendations on how this can best be enabled, and I am delighted that the group includes athletes from every region and with a wide range of collective experience.
“They are a credit to our sport, and I look forward to seeing their work off the court as they help to build the future of netball.
“Their collaborative input will be invaluable in helping us to grow, to play, and to inspire through netball.”
The VOA Working Group will be chaired by Rhona Toft who brings a wealth of experience both as an international athlete in hockey and in sports governance through the leadership of two athlete bodies.
Rhona was appointed as Chair of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Athletes Commission, a role which was established when the Games were awarded to Scotland in 2007.
Following this in 2016, Rhona was selected to develop and implement the first Athletes Advisory Commission on behalf of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
Lyn Carpenter, World Netball Regional Director for Europe, added: “This is an exciting step forward in achieving our vision as a sport.
“Having played netball internationally, I know first-hand the importance of ensuring athletes are heard and considered fully as everything we do involves, impacts, and affects them.
“I am very proud and passionate to be supporting this Working Group and I look forward to seeing the recommendations made which will impact the future of our sport.”
The Working Group consists of current international athletes with at least three years’ international playing experience and have been endorsed by their Member/Regional Federation or Executive Board.
The athletes have been selected to ensure representation across the five World Netball regions across teams ranked 1-5, 6-20, and 21+.
Supported by World Netball Board Directors, Lyn Carpenter for Europe, and Gaby Hochbaum for Asia, alongside World Netball Head of Events, Lindsay Impett, the Working Group will meet up to four times in 2021 and recommendations will be made to the World Netball Board by the end of the year.
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