Netball Queensland and the Queensland Firebirds have appointed Kate Davies as their new CEO.

Davies comes to the organisation with experience across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, including with Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket.

Davies will begin the role on 10 January, replacing Catherine Clark who announced her departure from the organisation in October after six years.

For more on Clark’s departure see Ministry of Sport.

Netball Queensland chair, Ian Fullagar, said: “The board and I are absolutely thrilled to appoint Kate Davies as the new CEO of Netball Queensland and have full confidence Kate is the right person to lead the organisation into another exciting chapter.”

“Kate has a wealth of experience across a wide range of industries and also brings with her tremendous passion and enthusiasm for Netball which will ensure Netball Queensland and Netball in Queensland continues to transform lives and experience further success,” Fullagar said.

On her new role, Davies said: “Netball Queensland impacts and transforms the lives of many, unites people, brings joy and strives for excellence and this role is an opportunity for me to bring my skills and experience to bear and lead an organisation that has the destiny of my first sporting passion in its hands.”

“The utility of flexible working arrangements and employee wellbeing initiatives are now at the fore of organisational leadership considerations and as such new channels for connecting with staff are essential

“Further, the focus on mental health and employee wellbeing have become fully entrenched as part of workplace health and safety and this will be a focus for me,” Davies said.