Executive Management

VP of EAST COAST OPERATIONS, Stacy-Ann Bentley

Stacy is a highly creative individual with extensive leadership experience. Stacy is currently a Department Manager with Wal-Mart Stores Inc, holds Diplomas in Computer Science and in Medical Assistant / Phlebotomy and is currently working towards her Associate of Science in Nursing. Her passion started with Netball when she began playing in Jamaica 20 years ago and is looking forward to helping drive Netball within the East Coast Region. Stacy is based in Philadelphia.  Contact Stacey at east@netballamerica.com.

VP of PROGRAM OPERATIONS – WEST COAST, Marizel “Riz” Borja

Riz who hails from the Philippines, learnt about Netball in Australia. Her role is to help drive Netball America’s penetration into the US professional and amateur sporting events while ensuring our teachers, fundraisers and other programs on the West Coast run smoothly. Riz’s background includes a variety of event production and design accomplishments, including events such as Comic-Con, Athletic Business Conference, the Annual Food and Wine Festival; and at elementary schools within the San Diego Unified School District. Riz is currently studying in San Diego and is anticipating graduating in 2013 with a BA Hospitality in Event Management.  She is excited to be part of breaking new ground with Netball America!  Contact Riz at westprograms@netballamerica.com.

VP of EDUCATION, Roslyn Day

Ros is the business owner of Kwik Kopy Business Center in Memorial, Houston. Ros previously served 3 years as VP of Netball Alberta and has coached, umpired, and competed as a provincial player. She also held the role of School Clinics Coordinator where she ran ‘Teach the Teacher’ clinics, Netball 101 programs and developed summer camp programs. In one year Ros taught Netball in 22 elementary schools and 13 junior high schools. Ros holds a Level One NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) certification and has over 35 years of Netball experience in a variety of countries including USA, UK, Australia, South Africa, Canada and Europe. Her corporate experience includes a variety of roles within the Financial Services sector.  Contact Ros at education@netballamerica.com.

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (CIO), Paul Gilchrist

Paul brings to the team a depth of IT experience from being the Information Technology Director at Da Vinci Design Associates, Web Designer at Freedom Scientific, and Senior SEO Analyst at Better Search Engine Rank. He is currently Vice President of Online Marketing for California Surgical Institute, Inc. Paul’s experience also includes organizations such as Verizon, IBM Global Services and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Combined with Paul’s passion for Netball and wanting to see it being played nationwide, his expertise will take Netball America’s online experience to the next level!

VP of STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, Sarah Wampler

Sarah is one of the founders of Austin Retros Netball Club, has been assisting our education and marketing committees , and has been key in getting our relationships with the Kids in Sports LA, Mary J Blige’s FFAWN foundation, key US media, as well as obtaining event sponsors and donars. Sarah has also been flying around the country as one of our producers for the WNBA and Special Olympic events. Contact Sarah at marketing@netballamerica.com.

VP of COACHING, Melissa King

Melissa’s passion will drive our development of all coaches, coaching and players within the USA. Based in Florida, Melissa has an extensive Netball background from Australia and the UK and has played Netball in State Leagues throughout Australia. Her coaching and managerial experience spans 17 years and includes junior and senior representative teams, namely the Western Districts U/13 Representative team; Brisbane State High School Open Team and the Mt Isa Representative Team. Her professional background includes being the Practice Manager for various medical clinics, live in Nanny as well as a general counsellor at Camp Chipinaw. Melissa is excited at being able to work with top coaches around the globe to be able to offer growth opportunities to USA coaches and players. Contact Melissa at coach@netballamerica.com.

VP of OLYMPICS and INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, Kelli McShane

Kelli sees the introduction of Netball to the Special Olympics dramatically increasing inclusion in the community by helping break down barriers that have historically kept people with and without cognitive disabilities apart. It will also provide opportunities to individuals with cognitive disabilities who are not presently involved with Special Olympics. Her work with Special Olympics is to fulfill the mission of providing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community.

As a Fitness Educator, former USA National Team representative, and a current member of the West Coast representative team, Kelli will make a difference by helping people pursue a healthy, active life.  Her vision is also helping drive a lot of our international programs.  Contact Kelli at olympics@netballamerica.com.

VP of UMPIRING, Prudence Plummer-D’Amato, PH.D

Prue’s passion for umpiring progressed her through the umpire ranks of Netball Australia very quickly. From obtaining her C grade umpires’ award at sweet 16 and then being awarded the All Australia (AA) award at just 21. By the age of 23, Prue received the highest umpire’s award in the world – the International Umpire’s Award (endorsed in 2001). Prue umpired various international matches such as Australia vs NZ, participated in tours to Jamaica, Cook Islands, England etc. In recognition of Prue’s Australian sporting achievement she was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000. Prue is responsible for developing the first premier USA National Netball Pool of Umpires.  Prue has received her PhD in physiotherapy and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Dept of Physical Therapy at Northeastern University.  Contact Prue at umpire@netballamerica.com.

VP of PROGRAM OPERATIONS – EAST COAST, Bennett Podolsky

Bennett grew up in Bethesda, Maryland and is currently studying Law at American University’s Washington College of Law located in Washington, D.C. Bennett has a passion for encouraging children to play sports, and has coached basketball to children in orphanages in Kenya and Nepal. He has been commended for his ability to research and report findings by a presiding judge of the Washington D.C. Superior Court, and his writing talent has been commended by the chief editors of the LexisNexis publication ‘Congressional Information Services’. He has developed a keen leadership ability through his experience in the Public Leadership Scholars program at the University of Maryland, and as a head teacher for a private school in Europe. His legal studies in the field of sports law and business law as well as his love of sport will be sure to drive Netball America’s East Coast Programs to the next level. Contact Bennett at eastprograms@netballamerica.com.

VP of DEVELOPMENT,  Barbara Woods

Barbara hails from Michigan and was first introduced to Netball through a British friend in March 2007.  The passion and camaraderie from those involved with Netball, not only within the US but globally, is what got Barbara hooked.  From being a player, to serving on the marketing committee and now President of San Diego United, Barbara has developed San Diego into one of the strongest clubs in California, in which many Americans are now playing.  This is also thanks to the Netball clinics being run at the YMCA.

Barbara is a Bioassay Core Lab Manager at UC, San Diego and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology.  Her fact-based non-biased approach as well as analytical skills will help enhance the Netball America’s member experience, while working with the VP of East and West Coast operations to drive the penetration of Netball throughout the USA.   Barbara is enthusiastic about spreading the word to other Americans about Netball, its benefits of sportsmanship and teamwork by volunteering with Netball America.  Her new role as Festival Director for the 2013 Golden Oldies World Netball Festival will help Americans learn about our beloved sport.  Barbara can be contacted at development@netballamerica.com.