Netball Players Association Announces Karen Atkinson MBE as New Chief Executive Officer

The Netball Players Association (NPA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Karen Atkinson MBE as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 2 November 2026. Karen succeeds Liz Bloor, who founded the Association in 2017 and has led its development over the past nine years.

One of the most respected figures in English netball, Karen brings a wealth of experience as an

international player, high-performance leader and passionate advocate for athletes, combining strategic

leadership with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing professional netball

players.

A former England captain, Karen earned 122 international caps during an outstanding 15-year

international career, representing England at four Commonwealth Games and four World Netball

Championships. She captained the national side from 2008 to 2011 and was part of three

Commonwealth Games bronze medal-winning teams.

Following her playing career, Karen established an impressive record in coaching, performance

leadership and sports governance. Her roles have included Head Coach of Loughborough Lightning,

where she led the team to the 2017 league title, Technical Director of Strathclyde Sirens and

Performance Director at Netball Scotland.

Most recently, Karen has worked with the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee, leading a

programme focused on accelerating the development of female athletes and coaches. She has also

supported the establishment of Nottingham Forest Netball Club as a performance advisor.

Alongside her executive and coaching experience, Karen has been a strong advocate for athlete

representation and wellbeing. She has served on the boards of Commonwealth Games England, the

British Athletes Commission and Netball Scotland, and has contributed to the NPA as a Non-Executive

Director and Chair of its Performance and Wellbeing Group.

Her appointment comes at an important time for professional netball, as the sport continues to evolve

and the importance of ensuring players have a strong, independent voice has never been greater.

Marzena Bogdanowicz, Chair of the NPA, said:

"We are absolutely delighted to welcome Karen as our new Chief Executive Officer. Her outstanding

career in netball, both on and off the court, gives her an exceptional understanding of the professional

game and, most importantly, the players at its heart.

"Karen combines a genuine passion for player welfare and development with the strategic leadership

experience needed to take the NPA forward. We are excited about the contribution she will make as we

continue to strengthen the Association and ensure that players' voices are heard and represented at

every level of the sport.

"I would also like to pay a very special tribute to Liz Bloor, whose vision, determination and

extraordinary commitment have been instrumental in creating the NPA we know today. Liz founded the

Association in 2017, recognising the need for an independent organisation dedicated to representing

and supporting netball players.

"From those early beginnings, she has built the NPA into an established and respected organisation,

providing players with a collective voice and championing their interests through a period of significant

change in the sport.

"We owe Liz an enormous debt of gratitude for everything she has achieved. She leaves a lasting legacy

and strong foundations on which Karen and the NPA can continue to build."

Commenting on her appointment, Karen Atkinson MBE said:

"I am incredibly proud and excited to be taking on the role of CEO of the Netball Players Association.

"Having experienced the demands of elite netball as both a player and a performance leader, I

understand how important it is that players feel supported, valued and empowered throughout their

careers and beyond.

"I also want to acknowledge the tremendous work Liz has done in establishing and growing the NPA. She

has created something incredibly valuable for netball players, and I feel privileged to have the

opportunity to build on those foundations.

"Professional netball is entering an exciting period of development, and I believe the NPA has a vital role

to play in helping shape the future of the sport. I look forward to working closely with players, the Board

and our partners to ensure that players remain at the heart of the game's development."

Karen's appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the NPA, building on nine years of

growth and development under Liz's leadership and reinforcing the Association's commitment to

supporting, representing and empowering professional netball players, both during their playing careers

and beyond.