Written by Amelia Barnes
Following an illustrious career in netball spanning six decades, former Netball Victoria President Richelle McKenzie has been named a Life Member of the organisation.
McKenzie is one of six newly announced Life Members appointed by Netball Victoria for their respective outstanding service to the sport at a state level.
McKenzie’s introduction to netball was as a player in 1963 (back when the sport was still named women’s basketball in Australia).
She played for many years, including in 1974 for the Melbourne Netball Club that produced many Australian players of the time. McKenzie was in a team coached by none other Norma Plummer, and she became friends with many icons of the game including Anne Henderson.
McKenzie started coaching in 1984 at Knox Women’s Netball Association. She was successful from the get-go, coaching Knox’s Open team to win the annual Interstate Carnival against associations in South Australia.
By the mid ‘90s, McKenzie was an elite coach and selector for various state teams.
1999 heralded a new phase in McKenzie’s netball career when she became the team manager of the Melbourne Phoenix (competing in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy) coached by netball legend Joyce Brown OAM.
“I took on the role as manager because I thought, what a fabulous opportunity to be sitting on the bench next to Joyce Brown,” said McKenzie.
McKenzie remembers being put through her paces for 12 months by Brown, but their relationship soon flourished. “Joyce had ways that things had to be done, and you had to learn them… I had to do my ‘apprenticeship!’
“By the end of the second year, she understood me – she knew that I wasn't cutting corners. Everything she asked, I did everything possible to make it happen. So, by the second year, we actually became good friends and we're still very good friends today.”
Being an elite netball team manager was a volunteer position in those days, and a huge commitment for McKenzie combined with other work and parenting. “I reflect and think, ‘How did I do that?’ But I did, and everyone survived, and it was an amazing time.”
In her last two years as the Melbourne Phoenix team manager, McKenzie resumed coaching. Her former positions include Victorian 21/U state coach (2002-2004); Victorian Open state coach (2005); VIS Development Squad coach (2005); Boroondara Netball Association Championship VNL team head coach (2008 to 2011); and Northern Zone Academy head coach (2006-2012).
McKenzie has also supported coaches as a mentor and coordinator at various points throughout her career. She’s impacted the development of many players and coaches across the sport today, including Wendy Jacobsen (now Victorian 19/U head coach) and Tracey Brereton (Victorian 17/U head coach), and former Melbourne Vixens player Kath Knott (Boroondara Express Championship VNL head coach).
When working as the team manager of the Melbourne Phoenix, McKenzie realised she had coached the majority of the team’s players at some point through the pathway. “I don't claim that I had any influence on them, but it was a huge honour to be able to say they were in my team once. I had Sharelle [McMahon] before she made state teams in a development squad.”
McKenzie was first elected to the Netball Victoria Board in 2008. She was headhunted for the role based on her firsthand experience across all levels and aspects of the sport. “I'd been involved in clubs and had coached school teams, associations, and through to the elite … Someone sold it to me that I had something to offer.”
She remained on the Board 15 years, including a five-year tenure as president from 2017-2021. “I had a united board and we worked together … We achieved everything we set out to.”
McKenzie’s particularly proud of being involved in the sale of Netball Victoria’s King Street office, and continuing the legacy of past netball players and administrators. “I was around when King Street was purchased, so to come to a suitable arrangement for the timing of the sale, how that money is to be invested … I think we did a good job as a Board.
“We put policies in place to make sure that the work of people who had gone before us wasn't wasted and it is held in good trust if it's needed again in the future.”
Since stepping down from the Netball Victoria Board, McKenzie has continued her involvement with netball, and resumed her role on the Melbourne Vixens List Management Committee (who assist in selecting the team’s squad) which she previously acted in from 2012-2017.
McKenzie also still works as a Netball Victoria coaching course presenter, which regularly takes her to towns across the state. “I always valued going to the country because I just felt that they didn't get the same opportunity and attention.”
McKenzie says it’s a “huge honour” to receive a Netball Victoria Life Membership alongside past and present legends of the game, including her friends Anne Henderson and Joyce Brown.
“Just to be in that company is amazing. I’m just little old me who likes netball!” said McKenzie. “I'm fortunate that I've been able to be involved in all levels of the sport.”
