Wales Netball
January 10, 2025
Wales Netball is proud to announce the appointment of Sarah Boswell as its new Chief Executive Officer, following a multi-stage recruitment process that attracted an exceptional field of candidates. Sarah will officially begin her new role on 13th January, leading Wales Netball and Cardiff Dragons into an exciting new chapter. Sarah brings over 15 years of experience in senior leadership roles across sports, arts, and culture. Her expertise spans strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, governance, and financial stewardship, making her exceptionally well-placed to drive Wales Netball and Cardiff Dragons forward.
Most recently, Sarah served as the Director of Development & External Relations at the Welsh National Opera (WNO). In this role, she has successfully formulated and executed strategies to advance WNO’s organisational goals, focusing on revenue generation and stakeholder engagement. Her leadership has fostered partnerships with donors, policymakers, and opinion leaders while ensuring alignment with WNO’s long-term strategic vision.
Sarah has demonstrated her ability to deliver impactful results in challenging environments throughout her career. Highlights of her extensive career include leading the redevelopment of cultural venues in Australia and New Zealand, managing large-scale partnerships across sports and arts, and implementing organisational improvements that have influenced industry best practices. Her work in rugby, including support for the Celtic Crusaders and female rugby initiatives in Australia, further underscores her diverse skill set and commitment to fostering community engagement.
Speaking about the appointment, Chair of Wales Netball, Catherine Hares, said:
“We are really pleased to appoint Sarah as our new CEO. We ran a rigorous recruitment process and had some outstanding candidates, but Sarah stood out as the right person to continue leading Wales Netball and Cardiff Dragons. Her impressive background in leadership and passion for netball are attributes that will serve her well in the new role as Wales Netball and Cardiff Dragons continue to evolve and reach new heights.”
Chair of Cardiff Dragons – Catherine Lewis also added
“This is an exciting time for the professional arm of netball in Wales. Cardiff Dragons’ inclusion in NSL 2.0 supports the strength and growth of the sport in Wales and the UK. Sarah brings a breadth of experience with her to flourish in this new environment. Both I and the Cardiff Dragons Board are looking forward to working alongside Sarah and her team to ensure that our netball dreams are realised.”
Sarah’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Wales Netball and Cardiff Dragons as the organisations continue to implement their strategic plans. Her focus will include advancing community netball programmes, supporting performance development, and ensuring the two organisations remain responsive to the needs of their members.
Reflecting on her new role, Sarah expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the growth of netball in Wales:
“It is an absolute honour to step into the CEO role at Wales Netball and Cardiff Dragons, organisations that have long inspired communities, united people, and transformed lives. I am deeply excited by the opportunity to lead such brilliant and dynamic organisations into their next chapters. This is a moment of pride and purpose for me—to lead a sport that stands for inclusion, joy, and excellence. Wales Netball has an incredible legacy of breaking barriers in sport, driving equality, and creating opportunities for women and girls nationwide. I am inspired by the progress made by those before me and cannot wait to build on that foundation alongside our talented Executive Leadership Team.
As we embark on this exciting new era, I am committed to growing participation, enhancing our competitions, and strengthening partnerships with Sport Wales, the Welsh Government, and commercial stakeholders to ensure the game’s long-term sustainability. The start of the National Super League 2.0 (NSL 2.0) and the journey to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow mark pivotal milestones for netball in Wales.
Netball is more than a game—it is a powerful force for connection, empowerment, and community. I am eager to listen to the voices of everyone who makes up the Wales Netball family and work collaboratively to grow our sport. Together, we will continue to lead, inspire, and provide unforgettable experiences for all involved. This is an exciting time for Wales Netball and Cardiff Dragons, and I am thrilled to lead these extraordinary organisations into a thriving and inclusive future.”
With Sarah’s leadership, Wales Netball and Cardiff Dragons aim to further their mission of promoting netball across all levels in Wales while fostering inclusivity and innovation within the sport.
