01 September 2018
Kathryn Harby-Williams AM
CEO, Australian Netball Players Association
Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
In May this year Kathryn Harby-Williams AM, South Australia’s most successful netball player, inaugural Thunderbirds and Australian captain, and netball hall of famer, embarked on her new role as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA).
As the first CEO of the ANPA, Kathryn believes in the power of pursuing your passions, working hard and a building a strong, supportive community within the netball world.
She has embodied this spirit with her significant service to netball as a player, national captain, coach, commentator, Netball Australia board member and player's advocate, for which she received a Member of the Order of Australia from the Queen earlier this year.
“It’s an honour to be recognised for doing something I love,” she says of the accolade.
Kathryn’s elite netball playing career as a fierce Goal Defence though, spanned 18 years. Including captaining the Adelaide Thunderbirds for seven years and leading them to two premierships, more than four years as Australian Captain, two Netball World Championship gold medals, two Commonwealth Games gold medals, being named Australian Netballer of the Year in 1995, and Australian International Player of the Year in 2001.
As a result she describes her eventual career in management as an evolution around her netball interests. But while Kathryn could not have envisaged the specific career outcomes she has achieved today, she attributes the journey to simply doing what she loves and being open to different opportunities.
“I have followed my passion, been open to learning and made the most of the opportunities available. I’ve enjoyed every role I’ve had, not one has felt like a chore,” she says.
“Pursue what you’re passionate about, rather than what is expected.”
Reflecting on her experiences at university, Kathryn acknowledges her time UniSA has informed the work she’s doing now and was grateful for her lecturers’ understanding of her demanding professional sports career.
“Some of the lecturers were really accommodating of me as an elite athlete, and I’m now working to give the athletes I represent the same opportunities during their study.”
Kathryn also credits the broad nature of her studies in giving an overview of all aspects of business in helping her career post playing professional netball.
“My current role entails an understanding of marketing, accounting and management which were the key elements of my degree.”
Kathryn later undertook her study at UniSA part-time while working as a Commercial Manager at the Adelaide Football Club and says her time at the club also guided her own management style.
“Bill Sanders, then CEO, created a culture of people willing to work hard but able to enjoy themselves, and this was very influential,” she says.
Following her playing career in Australia, Kathryn accepted a three-month contract playing in New Zealand. Only to leave eight years later.
Her time in New Zealand saw her working extensively in media as co-host on a popular weekly television show, ‘On Court’, a commentator at Sky Sport NZ, reporter at Sport 365 News NZ, and broadcaster Radio Sport NZ.
While she enjoyed her time in New Zealand, Kathryn wanted to raise her family in Australia and returned in 2013. Upon her return she joined the Board of Netball Australia as Director, which she held for four years, an achievement she is particularly proud of.
Presently, as the CEO of the Australian Netball Player’s Association, Kathryn ensures players continually have a voice that represents them.
Away from the court, she has always been a driving force in ensuring that Australia’s elite players received respect, fair treatment and conditions as the sport moved into an era of professionalism, so her current role was a natural transition.
Kathryn sees her priorities as CEO as supporting player’s wellbeing and education, with a particular eye on life after netball as she knows how difficult the transition can be.
“It’s important to have a seat at the table representing the playing group,” she says.
“When players move out of the sport it’s critical that we keep an eye on them and provide the structures necessary to look after them as well.
“I think it’s important to use your skills and background to help others.”
“I’m proud of having been able to make a difference as Director of Netball Australia and now, at ANPA, I’m able to help the sport move forward.”
As one of the few sports in Australia dominated by women, the ANPA work together with other members of the Australian Athletes’ Alliance, to set the best practice policies in place to support women in sport and hopes we can get to a point where equality doesn’t even have to be discussed anymore.
When asked to reflect on her time as a professional sportswoman, media commentator and leader in the field, she recalls a particularly priceless moment meeting Mohammad Ali while she was Australian Captain.
“I’ve met a lot of high profile athletes during my career, but he had ‘a glow’,” she recalls.
“I told my husband that I’d received a kiss from Mohammad Ali and I’d fallen in love with someone else!”
Kathryn does maintain though her proudest personal achievement is her family, and the three children she is raising with her husband, Cory.
She’s even taken up the role as Netball Director at her daughter’s school, passing on her love of the game to the next generation.
