Former netballer accelerates career to CEO

After a stellar 17-year netball career, which included three World Championships and a Commonwealth Games gold and silver medal with the Australian Diamonds, Natalie Butler (née Medhurst) is showing how valuable the athlete experience is when it comes to other leadership roles within sport.

With two graduate certificates, a Master of Business Administration and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Athlete Accelerate program added to her resume, Butler was recently appointed Chief Executive Officer at Water Polo WA. 

“It’s obviously a big leap from what I’ve done previously, but it’s what I’ve been working towards,” Butler said. 

“All those months of study helped me find direction in what I really wanted to do post-netball career and what type of leader I wanted to be; additionally, it gave me technical backing to support those career goals.” 

Butler is one of nearly 100 retired women athletes the AIS Athlete Accelerate program has supported since it began in 2021, with fellow alumnae including Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook, Paris 2024 Australian Olympic Chef de Mission Anna Meares and tennis star-turned-commentator Casey Dellacqua.  

Through a combination of career and personal development with workshops, mentoring and networking opportunities, AIS Accelerate supports retired female athletes as they transition into various roles across the sports sector. 

For Butler, the opportunity to meet fellow athletes with similar ambitions and hear advice from leaders in the sport sector was one of the biggest takeaways that has supported her to be where she is today.  

“The network it opens you to is incredible,” she said. 

“Listening to AIS Director Matti Clements talk to us and her journey, and telling herself to slow down in her career aspirations was something that really resonated with me and has ever since.” 

Butler is now encouraging other female athletes to apply for the 2026 edition of the AIS Accelerate program, with applications open until 30 November. 

“The experience will change your life... the women in the program, both participants and facilitators, will always be in your corner from the moment you step through the door.” 

To apply or find out more, visit the AIS Athlete Accelerate Program webpage.