The decision to reduce the number of teams in the Netball Super League from 10 to eight has proved controversial but organisers say selection was based on the “ability to deliver the on and off-court advancements” in order to “raise the standards of the league” to increase competitiveness.

Rebranded as LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons, Wales’ representatives in the new-look competition are moving home games to the Utilita Arena and seeking to build on an improved 2024 season in which they are set for a mid-table finish.

Dragons chief executive Vicki Sutton is hopeful Owens’ arrival on the board is another reflection of the club’s growth and development.

“Everyone in Wales knows who Ken is, so it’s a good fit because we want everyone in Wales to know who the Cardiff Dragons are,” said Sutton.

“Ken will bring a huge amount to the board. He loves netball, he knows professional sport because he has spent more than half his life within it.

“He will be able to advise our board and management teams what professional sport really looks like and what the players require.

“He will also be able to advise me on what a high-performance sport business looks like, so he has lots of attributes and lots of skills we can tap into.”