Netball Australia (NA) has announced that Mark Flavo, has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of their Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Netball World Cup 2027 (NWC2027) in Sydney, Australia.
This news comes after World Netball (WN) announced changes to the format of the competition, taking place form the 25th August – 5th September 2027, including the introduction of a Cup and Plate competition.
With a career spanning over 15 years and numerous senior executive positions, the new COO is widely respected for his leadership, strategic vision and operational expertise.
He has an impeccable record as a leader at Football Australia, having worked across major sporting, cultural, and tourism events in partnership with the Australian and NSW Governments.
Most recently, Flavo served as COO and Deputy General Secretary at Football Australia, where he architected the bid for and legacy of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, playing a pivotal role in delivering high impact football events and driving the growth of the game across Australia and in the Asia-Pacific region.
Flavo also brings invaluable tournament delivery expertise from his role as COO of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015, where he led operations for one of the largest sporting events in the region.
Speaking on the appointment of Flavo, NA CEO Stacey West said: “Securing the calibre of someone like Mark is a sign of just how important the next Netball World Cup is.
“We are taking bold steps to make sure this is the best Netball World Cup ever, particularly as Australia moves into its green and gold sporting decade,”
“Not only will the Netball World Cup showcase the best female athletes on the planet, it will also be a global celebration of women’s sport and will capture the hearts and minds of both lifelong, committed netball fans as well as new audiences, partners and sponsors.”
Falvo was equally as excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and added: “It’s an absolute privilege to lead the Netball World Cup 2027 in Sydney in the sport that is loved and played by more women and girls in Australia than any other.
“I’m very much looking forward to connecting with the netball community to deliver a Netball World Cup that makes them proud, ensures these amazing athletes can perform at the peak and inspires a new generation of Australians to play, watch and support the sport of netball.”
To find out more about the new NWC2027 format, click here.
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