Source : BUSINESS NEWS
Netball WA – a not-for-profit state sporting organisation which oversees all levels of netball’s pyramid – increased its surplus by $176,437 in 2025 to $349,543.
This was primarily achieved by a $1.24 million increase in sponsorship dollars, which yielded $4.16 million. An additional $68,863 of sponsor services revenue was also secured.
Ms Hansen told Business News the rise was a testament to a lot of hard work put in over the past few years.
“The increase in sponsorship revenue is a strong result and reflects the success of our commercial strategy, the confidence of our existing partners and the appetite for new partners entering our sponsorship portfolio,” she said.
“With most of this revenue recurrent, it gives us a more sustainable and predictable base while enabling continued investment across the sport.”
In-kind sponsorship dipped in 2025 by $169,604 to $475,339.
Overall, NWA generated $17.12 million in total revenue, up $1.05 million from the prior corresponding period.
In late-March, the state sporting organisation released its THINK 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, which included a key metric outlining NWA’s desire to generate an annual revenue of $25 million by 2030.
Success of the West Coast Fever last season – through membership, merchandise and ticket sales – has also provided an ideal springboard for 2026.
“We have over a number of years invested significantly in our data capability which has resulted in exponential growth across all of our consumer-based revenues,” Ms Hansen said.
“We’re well positioned both on and off the court to build on that growth.
“The new free to air Channel 9 broadcast partnership will be another key driver, expanding our audience, visibility and overall product.”
Surplus an opportunity to give more back
As NWA is a not-for-profit sporting organisation, net surpluses are retained and re-invested back into further growing netball across WA.
It has posted three consecutive net surpluses, following losses in both 2021 and 2022.
“Everyone at Netball WA is extremely pleased with the surplus result for the past financial year especially in an uncertain financial climate,” Ms Hansen said.
“As a not-for-profit, it allows us to reinvest directly into participation, high performance and community programs across WA.”
Total equity rises
As of December 31 2025, NWA’s total equity reached $3.3 million. For some context, back at the end of 2017 it was $941,099 after being restated.
“Having equity at that level ($3.3m) gives us a strong and stable foundation, providing confidence for our organisation, our members, partners and stakeholders,” Ms Hansen said.
“It also enables us to invest more strategically across core operations including participation and high performance to help drive continued growth.”
Rise in volunteers
Within its 2025 annual report, Netball WA reported a 27 per cent jump in volunteer participation – a trend and number almost all state sporting organisations would love to replicate in their own respective sports.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of netball and supporting them is a key priority,” Ms Hansen said.
“Our community netball team does a fantastic job across metropolitan and regional WA, ensuring volunteers have the tools and support to succeed.”
Strong financial discipline to remain
Despite total expenditure increasing by $882,996 to $16.77 million last year, NWA successfully adopted cost saving measures across multiple areas, including game/event costs (reduced by $270,340), despite no drop off in demand or spectators.
Ms Hansen outlined the state sporting organisation’s main focus in 2026.
“Maintaining strong financial discipline remains a priority,” she said.
“With ongoing cost‑of‑living pressures, including rising fuel and service costs, we’re focused on operating efficiently while continuing to deliver a high-quality product.”
