Baroness Sue Campbell named new Chair of the Board

Baroness Campbell, one of the most respected figures in UK sport, is returning to netball with an enviable CV and bags of experience and expertise to guide England Netball as it looks to build on what has been achieved over the last decade and more.

After representing England in netball at Under 21 level, Baroness Campbell went on to become one of the most recognisable and respected names within British sport, and a trailblazer within women’s sport. She began her distinguished career within sport as a PE teacher at Loughborough University and went on to become the Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust in 1995 and Chair of UK Sport in 2003 where she oversaw an unprecedented era of Olympic and Paralympic success for Team GB. She has spent the last eight years as Director of Women’s Football at The FA, where she played a pivotal role in the success of the Lionesses, the growth of a thriving grassroots game and the professionalisation of the WSL.

Discussing her appointment, she said: “It’s an enormous privilege to join England Netball at such an exciting time. In many ways it feels like I’m coming home having played, umpired and coached netball for more than 25 years at school, college, club and national level. As well as providing me with some of the most memorable moments of my playing career, it gave me lifelong friendships and a female-friendly supportive community, so it’s wonderful for me to be back where it all started.

“For as long as I can still make a difference and have the capability to change lives through sport then I want to be involved, and there is no better sport than netball to genuinely impact the lives of women and girls. And whilst all women’s sports continue their ascendancy, netball retains a unique place in our sporting landscape. I’m looking forward to working with the Board, the team at England Netball and everyone within the wider Netball Family to build on the progress that has been made so far and to help to grow this sport that I love.”

England Netball and the Board wish to place on record its gratitude to outgoing Chair Bridget Blow for her exceptional contributions over the last nine years as Senior Independent Director and more recently as Chair, which have left the organisation well placed for future success.

Baroness Campbell’s appointment caused a media storm, with she and Chief Executive Fran Connolly appearing on a host of TV and radio shows. Speaking to the BBC’s Woman’s Hour, Baroness Campbell said: “One of my aims is to give the team the opportunity to be the best in the world. The sport is in a good place, and I’m going to be working with Fran to see if we can build on that and take it to an even better place for the next few years.”