Gerrard, a member of the Australian team that lifted the Netball World Cup in Auckland in 2007 and Singapore in 2011, will take the newly established role that was recommended from the 2020 State of the Game Review that looked to help grow the sport.

She will join the Netball Australia Board as part of her role in the build up to this year's Netball World Cup, which is due to take place in Cape Town from July 28 to August 6. 

"As athlete director, I look forward to using my experience to work closely with key stakeholders to ensure that all elite athletes in the game are provided with an environment that offers opportunities for growth and support," Gerrard, who made 68 appearances Australia, said.

"I love the sport, I love the game, and I want to be a part of showcasing it."

Gerrard founded the Mo'onia Cup competition in 2009, which takes place in Tongo as she has developed strong ties with the Pacific nation as that is where her family are from. 

"The whole reason for the event in Tonga was to get Pacific women and girls to know that they can, on top of family life, be active and feel improvement in their self," the 42-year-old, born in Bathurst in New South Wales, said. 

“Having a Tongan heritage living in Australia, and being a former Diamond, I feel I can bring this lens to conversations and we can keep things moving.

"I want to see every country that plays strengthen their roots, strengthen their administration and hopefully push the top tier teams to an area where the game explodes."

Gerrard, whose brother Mark played in 23 rugby union Tests for Australia, had a successful club career that lasted 14 years in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy and Australia and New Zealand Championship league.

She played for Sydney Sandpipers, Sydney Swifts, Adelaide Thunderbirds and New South Wales Swifts, accumulating four championships as well as an Australian International Player of the Year.

Wendy Archer, the Netball Australia chair, was ecstatic about adding Gerrard to the organisation.

"Mo’onia is a valuable addition to the Netball Australia Board, who will provide meaningful insight given her extensive experience in the sport," Archer said.

"Her expertise in the netball high performance landscape, as well as her commitment to better the sport and leadership experience, will be a large attribute in terms of strategy across the next year which is full of milestone moments."

Netball Australia has also announced Michael Thomson, who joined the Board in 2021, will not be seeking re-election.  

"We would like to acknowledge the contributions and strong leadership of Michael from his last two years as a member on the Netball Australia Board," Archer said.