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Netball Australia has announced former AFL club executive Kelly Ryan as the new chief executive.

Former AFL club executive Kelly Ryan is the new boss of Netball Australia.

Ryan replaces Marne Fechner, who stepped down late last year, with Ron Steiner holding the chief executive role on an interim basis for the past eight months.

With a marketing background, Ryan comes to NA after holding positions with Gold Coast and Western Bulldogs AFL clubs and most recently with Marvel Stadium.

NA chair Marina Go said Ryan had been chosen from a strong field of candidates.

"Kelly comes to netball at a pivotal time in our sport's development,' Go said.

'While her experience and track record of leadership is impeccable, it is her drive and strategic ambition for netball that most excites us."

Ryan said she was thrilled to lead netball at such an important time of change and growth and would look to ensure it remained the leading sport for women.

"I am honoured to be selected to lead netball at such an important time," she said.

"Super Netball is one of the best elite competitions in the world, grassroots netball is Australia's number one participation code, and we're on the brink of a new media rights partnership that will create so many new opportunities from community netball to the Australian Diamonds."