Patrick Heron has been appointed as the new President of the USA Netball Association ©USA Netball

Patrick Heron has been appointed as the new President of the USA Netball Association.

The new holder of the top role was elected at the governing body's Annual General Meeting and will serve a two-year term until December 2018.

He replaces Natalie Moodie, who had served as President for the past four years but did not seek re-election.

Heron has been involved with the administration and development of netball in the United States for "decades".

He is the vice president of technical operations for the New York State Netball Association and has served as technical director and development director on USA Netball's Executive Board.

Heron also played, coached and umpired netball both in the US and Jamaica.

Patrick Heron will serve a two-year term ©USA Netball
Patrick Heron will serve a two-year term ©USA Netball

In his acceptance speech, Heron said he plans to reorganise the current structure of USA Netball and introduce "much-needed energy to the sport, thus allowing it to grow". 

The United States team are currently 28th in the International Netball Federation world rankings.

The country last qualified for the World Championships - now the World Cup - in 2003, where they finished ninth.

This was their third appearance at the flagship competition and their best result.