Wales Netball, the national governing body for netball in Wales, has this week announced a major new investment in the parent company of its professional club, the Dragons, securing the future of elite netball in Wales and marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s Ymladd 2030 strategy.
The investment sees Machroes Holdings Limited take a 40% shareholding in the club, bringing new capital into the Dragons to strengthen the club and fuel its ambitions on and off the court. Wales Netball remains the majority shareholder, retaining a 60% stake and overall ownership and control while welcoming fresh investment, expertise and ambition.
The completed deal is a vote of confidence in the future of Welsh women’s sport. It follows a period of significant transformation, during which Wales Netball has strengthened its governance, financial management and commercial foundations to put the club and the wider sport on a sustainable footing.
The investment is a key step in delivering Ymladd 2030, Wales Netball’s strategic blueprint for building a financially sustainable, high-performing netball ecosystem from grassroots to elite. It comes as the organisation marks its 80th year and the Welsh Feathers, ranked seventh in the world, prepare for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Sydney 2027 Netball World Cup.
Sarah Boswell, Chief Executive Officer, Wales Netball, said: “This is a landmark moment for netball in Wales. Securing this investment is a powerful endorsement of the work that has gone on behind the scenes to put our sport on a sustainable footing, and it gives the Dragons the stability and ambition to compete at the very highest level.
“Wales Netball retains majority ownership and control of the club, and this partnership allows us to accelerate everything we set out to achieve through Ymladd 2030 – from the grassroots game right through to the international stage. I am very excited to build on the Dragons’ performance this season with this fantastic support from Machroes Holdings Limited and look forward to seeing the team continue to perform at the highest level.”
Helen Williams, Chair, Wales Netball, said: “As a board, our responsibility is to safeguard the long-term future of netball in Wales, and this investment is a clear sign of the progress we have made. It reflects real confidence in our leadership, our governance and our vision, with Wales Netball remaining the proud custodian of the Dragons.
“I want to thank Machroes Holdings Limited and our key stakeholders, members, players and partners, whose belief and commitment have helped make this possible.”
Thomas Davies, CEO, Machroes Holdings Limited, said: “We are proud to be investing in the the Dragons and in the future of women’s sport in Wales. The ambition, talent and momentum at Wales Netball and the club are clear to see, and I have great confidence in the leadership and the vision being built through Ymladd 2030.
“This is the start of an exciting journey and we are looking forward to playing our part in it..”
The investment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the club and the wider sport. Wales Netball continues to welcome conversations with partners and investors who share its ambition for the future of netball in Wales.
