QSport appoints Shantel Netzler as Chief Executive Officer

QSport is proud to announce the appointment of Shantel Netzler as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership milestone for Queensland’s peak grassroots sporting body.

Netzler steps into the role after serving as Acting CEO for the past six weeks and holding senior executive and governance roles within QSport since 2023.

During her time with the organisation, she has been instrumental in strengthening its strategic vision, expanding commercial partnerships and enhancing member engagement across its 70-plus member organisations.

With extensive experience across state and national sport bodies, Netzler has led transformation initiatives across governance, participation, gender equity, commercial strategy and high-performance pathways. Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for Queensland’s sporting ecosystem as preparations accelerate toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As the first woman of Samoan / Pacific heritage to hold the role, her appointment also reflects QSport’s commitment to leadership representation that builds pathways and strengthens diversity across Queensland’s sporting community.

Netzler is currently focused on leading the delivery of the 30th annual Queensland Sport Awards and Hall of Fame Induction which will be held on 27 November at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

“It is an honour to lead QSport at such a critical juncture for sport in Queensland,” Ms Netzler said.

“Our members deliver big for their communities in a way that can be life changing. My focus is on amplifying the voice of sport, building strong partnerships, improving sustainability and ensuring that every Queenslander has the opportunity to participate and thrive.

“As we look ahead to Brisbane 2032 and beyond, I am committed to championing our sector, strengthening inclusion, and working collaboratively with all levels of government and industry to unlock the full potential of sport in our communities.”

QSport Chair Ben Callard welcomed the appointment.

“Shantel is an outstanding leader with deep knowledge of the sport industry, a proven record of organisational transformation and a genuine commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive future for Queensland sport,” Mr Callard said.

“Her ability to bring people together, drive collaboration and deliver meaningful impact made her the ideal choice to guide QSport into this next chapter. The Board looks forward to continuing to work closely with Shantel as we support the sector through a period of unparalleled opportunity.”