We are delighted to introduce our new Netball WBOP Zone Board Members, confirmed at the Netball WBOP Zone AGM held on Sunday 29 March:

• Simon Lockwood – Appointed Board Member
• Rhonda Karl – Appointed Board Member
• Ethan Jerome‑Leota – Appointed Board Member
• Adrienne Wilcock – Elected Board Member
• Clare Frankhouser – Elected Board Member

Each of these outstanding individuals brings valuable experience, strong governance expertise, and a shared commitment to supporting and growing the future of netball across our Zone.

The re‑establishment of the Board represents a significant and positive milestone for Netball WBOP Zone, following a period under the administration of Netball New Zealand (NNZ). The Zone is thriving, momentum is building, and this marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

The Netball WBOP Zone Board has commenced an official handover period with our NNZ Administrators, setting the foundation for continued success. We look forward to what lies ahead.

Simon Lockwood

JP, CFINSTD, MBA, BA (Hons), IRMCERT

Regional Branch Director: Gallagher Insurance (Previously Crombie Lockwood)

Simon has worked in the insurance industry for the last 31 years both in the UK and NZ.  For the last eighteen years Simon has led the Waikato Regional Team of Gallagher Insurance (previously known as Crombie Lockwood).  The Waikato Branch of New Zealand’s largest broker has over 50 team members and looks after 8,000 client relationships.

Simon is currently the Chairman of the Institute of Directors (IoD) and represents the Waikato on the National Council of the IoD.  In addition, Simon makes a wide-ranging contribution to the region through a variety of governance roles including:  

Deputy Chair of Enrich+
Trustee Wintec Student Resident Trust
Finance & Risk Committee Chairman: Habitat for Humanity CNI Ltd
Presiding Member of the Lottery Grant Regional Committee

Rhonda Karl

LLB/BCom

With more than 20 years’ experience in marketing and communications, including a decade specialising in sports, events and tourism, Rhonda brings a strong commercial lens and deep expertise in digital systems and solutions. She has held roles with Netball New Zealand, Netball WBOP Zone and the ASB Classic, building a broad perspective across both participation and high-performance environments.

A lifelong contributor to netball, Rhonda has been involved as a player, umpire and coach. Having grown up in the Zone before playing at university and in the UK, she is delighted to reconnect with the sport and support its growth in her home region.

Ethan Jerome-Leota

Waikato te awa, Waikato te iwi

Kaitakawaenga | Community Liaison, Community Law Waikato. 

Ethan is an experienced governance professional with a legal background and strong expertise in risk, compliance, tikanga Maaori, and strategic oversight. He is a current board trustee at Progress to Health (Hamilton) and has previously served on Community Law Waikato as an appointed Waikato-Tainui representative.

Ethan has been actively involved in netball across the WaiBOP Zone, including with Kia Ora Netball Club, Eastern Waikato Netball Centre, and Tainui Waka Netball.

He is guided by Princess Te Puea Herangi’s tongikura: “Mahia te mahi, hei painga moo te iwi” — work for the betterment of the people.

Clare Frankhouser

Waikato Regional Team Lead: Peke Waihanga (NZ Artificial Limb Service)

Clare throughout her career has worked in not-for-profit organisations in the social services, sport and healthcare industries.   2025 saw the end of 8 seasons for Clare working as the General Manager for the 5200 member Hamilton City Netball Centre where she led the court, amentiities block and hall upgrade project.  Clare was one of the founding members of the TOA Group of Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty and many working groups for Netball New Zealand.  

Clare is currently on the Board for New Zealand Mens and Mixed Netball Association where she sits on the Policy and Constitution sub-committee and the Finance sub-committee.

Adrienne Wilcock

Adrienne brings more than forty years of active involvement in community organisations spanning health, sport and education. She is a life member of both the Matamata Netball Centre and the Walton Tennis Club.

In the governance space, Adrienne served as a trustee of the Agrecovery Foundation, representing the dairy industry, before going on to chair the organisation for seven years as it continued to grow. She further developed her leadership experience as an elected councillor and, subsequently, mayor of the Matamata-Piako District Council. Adrienne is also a member of the Institute of Directors.

Adrienne is delighted to return to the sport she loves and looks forward to working collaboratively with her fellow members of the newly established Zone board.

Article added: Monday 13 April 2026