Incoming Netball South Africa (NSA) CEO Adam Brooke has set his sight on creating a lasting legacy in his tenure at the organisation.
Brooke, who will be taking over the hot seat on a four-year contract from 1 March 2026, is replacing Modiegi Komane who had a turbulent term at the helm. She led the organisation from October 2023 until her departure on October 2025.
Brooke brings more than two decades of sports administration experience with expertise in sports marketing, event management, sponsorship, operations and governance. His resumé includes several major global sporting events such as the Tour de France, Africa Cup of Nations, the FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games, the Absa Cape Epic, and the Rugby World Cup.
“There’s a three part plan approach that we will look at, from the commercial side is how we look at how we can commercialise and professionalise the sport more, bring more money into the sport. The second would be on the court, what both the men and women are achieving on the court. I think come the 2029 World Cup we should be competing for a medal with the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica and England, as well as other African countries such as Uganda and Malawi. The third is fixing the development of netball in South Africa. I believe we need to work alongside the ministry of sport and various other federations like Sascoc, et cetera to see how we can further develop the sport for both men and women.
There are so many South African sports people that are talented and are never discovered. It’s now up to us to work out ways in which we can bring them to the fore and give them the opportunity to be the best they can be,” explains Brooke.
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY
Brooke, the first man in the CEO position at NSA, shares his excitement for the journey that lies ahead. He says he this is an opportunity that he was going to miss.
“I am an incredibly passionate South African and a passionate sports person. An opportunity to work for one of the biggest federations in South Africa, which is the biggest women’s sport in South Africa was a no brainer for me. When the offer came around, it was something I wasn’t able to turn down. Netball is in an exciting period in South Africa, having just beaten England in a series, the first time that South Africa has beaten a top four nation (in a series). The men’s game is also growing steadily. It’s a huge opportunity, it is extremely exciting,” he says.
NEW BEGINNINGS AND STABILITY
The federation faced challenges last year that included the suspension of former president, Cecilia Molokwane and allegations of a toxic work environment and bullying against Komane. The incoming CEO says one of his priorities will be bringing unity and stability in the federation.
“Luckily we have a new executive, a new president and I will be working very closely with the president and the vice president. As well as the team that is currently set up at Netball South Africa. I am coming in a bit fresh, I don’t have a massive amount of netball experience but I do have a lot of sports, events, commercialisation, sponsorship and marketing experience. I would like to bring my experience to the table and neutralise the experience of the rest of the team at Netball South Africa. They are in the position already and they have the knowledge and understanding of the game. So I would like to unify the office and alongside with the executive to work hand in hand to make sure that we can take netball into a better space. It’s about stabilising the federation and the governance of the federation and taking it from there,” he says.
Brooke is pleased with how the men’s senior team is doing on the continent. He says a focus on schools netball for boys and a sponsored league are some of the matters that he will look into during his tenure especially with the World Cup coming up.
Following World Netball’s (WN) announcement of the launch the men’s edition of the global tournament with the first edition set for 2028. The World Cup is WN’s goal to influence the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include the sport in the quadrennial Olympic Games. The global mother body is looking at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games for the inclusion of the sport.
“The men’s team is on the up. They had a recent series with Australia and they did very well. They are three times African Champions, the men’s team is right up there. We need to develop it and have a proper professionalised men’s league. We will be looking to do that and looking to bring on a sponsor to sponsor that league. And also develop it from the schools and a grassroots perspective. At the moment netball is not available to boy or men at school level, it is mostly basketball or football that is played by the guys. It is how we look to bringing netball into schools and introduce it at a younger age,” he explains.