The tireless work of Ian Fullagar has been lauded as he prepares to step down from his position on the Netball Queensland (NQ) board.
Since his appointment to the NQ board in October 2016, Fullagar has played a key role for netball in the state especially as the board’s chair since April 2021.
One of Fullagar’s first challenges upon his election as board chair was ensuring Queensland hosted the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season in a COVID-19 compliant setting, just as it had the year before.
He also spearheaded the board’s work in ensuring that year’s HART Sapphire Series was delivered in full despite the uncertainties created by the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic.
Fullagar was also chairing the organisation at the launch of our Reconciliation Action Plan in early 2022 and led the board through the review of NQ’s membership by-law and constitution during the same year.
Another milestone in Fullagar’s eight-year involvement with Netball Queensland was overseeing the appointment of Kate Davies as NQ’s chief executive at the end of 2021.
“Ian has been a tremendous leader for Netball Queensland during his time on the board and, more recently, as board chair,” Davies said.
“His efforts and dedication have helped NQ get through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to the point where we are excitedly looking ahead to meeting the targets set in our strategic plan over the next three years.
“Ian’s contributions will be missed, but he leaves us well positioned to continue to grow beyond his departure through the foundations and achievements he has helped facilitate.”
Fullagar said he would miss the role but departs confident in NQ’s future.
“I am truly going to miss being involved in the governance of this awesome organisation,” Fullagar said.
“I especially want to thank my current and previous fellow directors, current CEO Kate Davies, previous CEO Cath Clark and all our dedicated staff and volunteers for their massive contributions working together to turn Netball Queensland into one of Australia’s leading sporting organisations.
“The organisation’s future is very bright!”
Following a recruitment process undertaken by NQ’s Nominations Committee and endorsed by Board, NQ is also delighted to announce Fullagar’s appointed director position will be replaced by Leanne Coddington.
A former senior executive at Tourism and Events Queensland for the past 26 years, including being CEO from 2013-2022, Coddington brings enormous experience and capability to the board.
“Leanne is a hugely respected leadership figure with significant strategic experience and an intimate knowledge of major events delivery and consumer behaviour,” Davies said.
“As well as her experience with TEQ, Leanne is a non-executive director of the Museum of Brisbane and Helloworld, an adjunct professor of the UQ Business School and a fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.
“Her appointment to the NQ board will further strengthen the leadership and skillset available to netball in Queensland.”
Coddington was excited to continue NQ’s drive towards the goals outlined in its Strategic Plan 2023-25.
“I am looking forward to joining the highly experienced Netball Queensland board, and support the ongoing growth of NQ and netball across Queensland communities,” Coddington said.
Following NQ’s Annual General Meeting, the NQ Board will convene to appoint a new chair.
