Netball Scotland appoints Stephanie Karvelis as new COO

Stephanie is joining the business from Glasgow Warriors where she was Operations manager during a highly successful period for the Pro 14 rugby team and brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise that will help grow and develop the sport and organisation.

The 33-year-old began that role in 2014 and during her time with Warriors worked with current Scotland national coach Gregor Townsend and Australia national coach Dave Rennie.

She said: “I am delighted to be joining Netball Scotland and Strathclyde Sirens at such an important time in the development of the sport in Scotland.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Warriors where we have successfully grown the club, helped by some impressive performances on the pitch.

“I believe Sirens are on the precipice of a new phase of growth again helped by the way the team has been performing on the court, particularly in recent weeks.

“We have role models across the organisation and we can use Sirens as the catalyst to continue to grow netball as a sport across the country from grassroots right through to the national game.”

Netball Scotland and Strathclyde Sirens Chief Executive Claire Nelson said: “We are in the midst of a really critical stage for our sport and business. Both recovering from a pandemic, yet also brimming with opportunities through the success Sirens have enjoyed this year and the powerful impact we are looking to drive across Scottish communities, we have huge belief and ambition as a sport which we need to be smart about how we realise.

“We have really looked at how we seize the opportunity as a sport to go to the next level and have significant plans in place on how we develop the sport, enhance the pathway, grow the game and improve lives. In order to achieve these outcomes we require to enhance our leadership skills and expertise and Stephanie is the perfect fit for what our business and our Netball Family need.

“Stephanie has been part of leading Glasgow Warriors from having a few hundred people in the stands to the strong position they enjoy now – a successful club which feeds into the community and the national programme. She was also significant in leading the organisation of the Pro14 finals at Celtic Park in 2019.

“Stephanie will help us really understand how to grow as a sport and a business and it is a real coup to bring her on board. We are delighted to welcome her.”

Mum-of-two Stephanie, who is expecting her third child later in the year, was born in Australia and grew up in Brisbane. She considers herself Scottish having moved here in 2008.

Before joining Warriors she worked for the Scottish Rugby Union developing the Game On project – which provides opportunities for children not in education, employment or training.

Her hobbies include swimming and – of course – playing netball.