It means she will also give up her place on the governing body's Board, a position she had held since 2002.

Under the leadership of Dix, a former Australian international, she oversaw the establishment of the ANZ Championship, the move of the governing body's headquarters from Sydney to Melbourne, led a governance review and was part of the team that won the country's bid to host the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney.

Australia have also established themselves as the world number one's team after winning three consecutive World Cups in 2007, 2011 and 2015 and a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“Netball has come a long way in the last 10 years,” Dix said.

“The two factors I would point to are the ANZ Championship lifting the bar in the intensity and level of professional competition in allowing our athletes to become the best in the world and the improvements we have made in the governance of our sport at all levels.

“The professional approach to delivering netball in the Australian community has meant that our capacity has increased and the sport has flourished.”

Netball Australia chief executive Kate Palmer led the tributes to Dix.

“Noeleen has a very strong values system, is well regarded and respected for her honesty, integrity and transparency,” she said.

“The 2015 Netball World Cup, and the accompanying legacy projects, were an outstanding success and will change the sport of netball forever in terms of profile, commercial outcomes and participation in the sport.

“It has been an absolute honour to work with Noeleen, who has been a mentor, advisor and sounding board across 10 years.

“Noeleen inspires everyone with her strong vision and belief in the future of netball. Noeleen leaves at a time when netball is perfectly positioned to take on the world.

"What a legacy that is.”

A successor is expected to be announced shortly.