Raelene Castle is variously described as one of the country's
top sports administrators and the most influential woman in New
Zealand sport. The 40-year-old chief executive of Netball
NewZealandhas transformed the organisation into a strategically
focused business and helped netball grow significantly in its
profile, commercial investment and as an employer. Under her
stewardship, the sport now has a broadcast deal and elite
sponsorship agreement to rival male codes and a semi-professional
trans-tasman netball competition. There has also been great success
on the court with the Silver Ferns bringing home a gold medal from
last year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Prior to taking the helm at Netball New Zealand in mid-2007,
Castle was head of business marketing at Telecom after holding
senior positions at Fuji Xerox, Southern Cross Healthcare and
BNZ.
Leadership
is about ensuring you have the right people with the right attitude
who endorse the agreed direction. It is about removing roadblocks,
and empowering people to get on with their roles. A good leader
creates an environment that is fun, personalised and rewarding.
Raelene Castle
Her commercial acumen is matched by her sporting prowess.
Raelene is a New Zealand Lawn Bowls champion and has also played
tennis and netball at representative level. She has extensive event
management and sponsorship experience with involvement in the
sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup, the New Zealand Olympic and
Commonwealth Games Association from 1995 to 2000 and was a member
of the America's Cup 2000 event marketing committee.
Raelene's inclusive style of leadership and ability to build
good strategic partnerships has benefitted every organisation she
has touched. She is a Director of ANZ Championship and the
Chairperson of the National Sports Organisations' leadership group.
In her limited non-netball downtime she is also a Trustee for the
Rising Trust, which seeks to unlock the potential of South Auckland
youth and a business mentor to young female executives.