Rosie scores Queen’s Birthday honour

Selfless, strong and inspirational are some of the words colleagues describe the CEO of Netball Victoria Rosie King, who has led the organisation through the pandemic with grace.

Despite the uncertainties, Netball Victoria has not only navigated the challenges the crisis has thrown at the sports industry but also thrived under Ms King’s leadership.

No jobs have been lost at the West Melbourne-based organisation and netball has remained the top sport for females in Victoria and Australia.

Ms King, who was awarded with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in this year’s Queen’s Birthday 2021 honours list for her service to sports administration, said sport “is an amazing instrument to help build connections and community spirit”, and felt “very fortunate to have been involved in many different elements of the industry.”

She said the news of her award was “incredibly humbling”, but acknowledged her achievements would not have been possible “without the support of the great people I’ve met along the way, as well, of course, as my beautiful family.”

“It’s very easy to be passionate when you genuinely care and love what you do,” she said.

“I am very lucky to have worked with and volunteered alongside so many wonderful people who have taught and encouraged me over the journey."

I hope that this recognition can demonstrate to other women that sport provides endless possibilities either through volunteering or as a rewarding career path. I am very grateful.

Ms King, who is also head of the Melbourne Vixens netball team, has a long list of achievements including being the driving force behind the redevelopment of the State Netball Centre in Parkville, which saw a $64.6 million investment from the Victorian Government, due to be completed this year. 

Many in the Victorian netball community have also received grants to ensure they can restart once restrictions are eased.  

Having taken the reins of Netball Victoria in 2016, Ms King is also admired for her advocacy and commitment for sport and gender equality, which recently saw her secure funding in the state budget for two statues of female netballers.

She launched her public appeal for the statues on International Women’s Day, which Ms King said was aimed at removing the inequity of sporting statues, which stands at 29 males, three females and three horses immortalised in bronze. 

Among other achievements, Ms King was awarded Sports Administrator of the Year in the 2018 Victorian Sports Awards, and was the winner of the 2015 Graeme Samuel Award.

Since 2015, she has held the position of director of Paralympics Australia, and was the former general manager of people and culture at Geelong Football Club •