Minerva Network is currently the leading Australian not-for-profit organisation supporting professional sportswomen through mentoring, professional development, networking, career pathways and support networks.
Today Minerva Network announced the appointment of Ms Tain Drinkwater as Interim Executive Director, effective 27 July 2026. Tain joins Minerva at a pivotal moment for the organisation and for women’s sport in Australia, bringing elite sport leadership, commercial expertise and a genuine track record of advancing opportunities for professional sportswomen.
Tain joins from Newcastle Jets FC, where as Chief Executive Officer she delivered the Club's first-ever Australia Cup and Premiers Plate titles alongside strong revenue growth. Her career spans senior leadership roles across the NRL, Netball NSW, the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball, and the Brisbane Broncos, where she delivered three consecutive NRLW Premierships and played a key role in establishing the NRLW competition.
Her commitment to the women's game runs deep, consistently pairing commercial rigour with a genuine drive to build platforms for women to succeed - values that sit at the heart of Minerva's mission to open minds and open doors for professional sportswomen through the power of business and sport.
Tain will report to the Chair and work closely with the Council, committees and the Minerva team.
As Interim Executive Director, Tain will lead Minerva's next phase of growth to deliver a refreshed five-year strategic plan, strengthen national partnerships and fundraising base and build the brand, communications and operating platform required to support our continued expansion.
“Tain brings exactly the blend of commercial acumen, brand leadership and lived commitment to women's sport that this next chapter for Minerva demands,” said Minerva Network Chair, Christine McLoughlin AM. “Her record of delivering rapid, measurable transformation, while never losing sight of the people and purpose behind the numbers, makes her an outstanding fit as we scale our impact for professional sportswomen across the country.”
“Minerva's mission – opening doors for professional sportswomen through the power of business and sport – is one I have lived throughout my career,” said Ms Drinkwater. “A key focus for me will be strengthening athlete transition pathways so that professional sportswomen are supported not only during their playing careers, but as they move into leadership, business and life beyond sport. I am honoured to work alongside Minerva's remarkable community of mentors, athletes, staff and volunteers to set the platform for its next phase of growth and impact.”
About Minerva Network
Minerva Network is a national not-for-profit, powered by probono support and funded by a small number of corporate and government partners who share its values. Over 480 senior executives volunteer their time to provide mentoring, professional development and networking to over 1,100 professional women athletes across 86+ sports in Australia. Minerva is committed to collaboration, being real role models and demonstrating generosity of heart.
TOGETHER WE SOAR
