The winners of the 2017 Netball Victoria Community Awards have been announced at a celebration night at Cargo Hall, South Wharf, tonight.
Individuals, Clubs, Associations and Leagues from around the state were recognised for their enormous contributions to all aspects of the sport of netball.
Netball Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Rosie King, said it was important to celebrate the outstanding contributions made by our netball community.
“This year I was thrilled to see so many nominations received for our Community Awards and to learn even more about the amazing work that is being done for our sport right across the state,” said King.
“At the Community Awards, a number of incredible achievements were recognised and celebrated. I would like to congratulate all the 2017 winners, but also acknowledge the finalists and nominees – your contribution to our sport is greatly appreciated,” said King.
The Community Awards received a boost this year, with RACV coming onboard to sponsor both the Volunteer of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to Coaching awards.
Winners of each of these awards received a $1,000 RACV Gift Card and a $2,000 donation to their Club or Association.
At the event Julie Corletto, Susan Meaney and Noeleen Dix were also recognised for their contributions to the sport.
Corletto, a former Australian Diamonds netballer, was announced as a Legend of the Game inductee, while former Australian players, Susan Meaney and Noeleen Dix were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
2017 Community Awards Winners
Lee Shipard, Albury Netball Association
Lee Shipard from Albury Netball Association has acted as a mentor to those entering the world of netball umpiring.
Being involved with the Association periodically for almost 50 years, Lee’s vision and endurance has earnt her the recognition of Umpire of the Year.
Obtaining her A Grade Umpires Badge in 1985, Lee started the Junior Umpires Courses at Albury and has been involved in umpire testing and mentoring, as well as running umpiring coaching courses.
Yvonne Porter, Ellinbank & District Netball Association
Yvonne Porter is dedicated to developing the next generation of netball stars.
Previously Coaches Coordinator at Ellinbank and District Netball Association, Yvonne has developed the process for trial and selection throughout her years in the role.
She is now Assistant Coach for the 19/U Boroondara Express Victorian Netball League team, a coach at the Zone Academy and a Talent Identification Scout.
Sheridan Harrop, Central Murray Football Netball League
Sheridan Harrop is a dedicated and passionate member of the Lake Boga netball community.
Sheridan has been involved since 2006 as a player, coach, umpire, umpire coordinator and committee member. She is also the Central Murray Football Netball League President and a Regional Liaison Officer.
Sheridan is dedicated to developing the junior members of her club, and has instigated several programs for umpire and netball development.
Chairo Christian School
Chairo Christian School in Pakenham has had a focuss on netball in 2017, aiming to make netball accessible to all students.
They have introduced a number of programs, including Sporting Schools, a coaching course for PE teachers, a NetSetGO program and a four-week netball unit.
They also have four teams in a local netball competition, a parent/teacher mixed team, two Fast5 teams that play in Cranbourne and entered Senior Girls and Junior Boys teams in the Schools Championships.
Deniliquin Netball Association
Operating in a small rural country town, Deniliquin Netball Association has faced some difficult challenges over the last few years.
In recent times the Association has struggled to maintain its operation, and then faced a further setback when its courts and clubrooms were overcome with floods in November 2016, cancelling the Spring competition.
However, the Association overcame these obstacles and bounced back stronger than ever, they successfully moved their winter competition to Wednesday nights to make it more accessible, and had a number of players identified through the Netball Victoria pathways.
Warrnambool City Netball Association
Over the last 18 months Warrnambool City Netball Association has been working to improve all aspects of their operations.
From improving communications to offering support to players, coaches and umpires, Warrnambool City Association has implemented a wide range of initiatives.
The Association has developed a junior registration pack, a coaching toolkit and a junior umpiring program, as well as providing Netball Victoria programs Rock Up Netball, Net4Kids and Beach Netball.
Itiki Sporting Club of Glenroy Inc.
Itiki Sporting Club of Glenroy Inc. is a multicultural community organisation that exists to develop disadvantaged multicultural communities in the North-Western Metropolitan area.
The club delivers netball programs in schools, and works with families to help address cultural differences and improve their netball skills.
The club also offers many incentives, including no fees, carpooling to events and providing uniforms to participants, to reduce the financial strain of participating in sport.
Ouyen United Football Netball Club
The Ouyen United Netball Club has implemented a number of initiatives to ensure the safety of their players, umpires and spectators, including first aid courses for volunteers.
With one netball court unable to be used in the wet due to ponding areas, limited drainage and insufficient run-off areas, Ouyen United decided to resurface both its netball courts.
Another big project undertaken by the club was the relocation of the gate entrance, to divert traffic away from a high pedestrian area, creating a pedestrian-only space and extra warm-up space for netballers.
Boort Football Netball Club
Boort Netball Club has gone above and beyond to make their courts safe for players.
With their second netball court cracked and deemed unsafe, Boort Netball Club fundraised $30,000 to resurface and restructure it, before moving onto their next project; adding new lights to enable night training and twilight matches.
They have also paid for trainers to participate in first aid courses, and for the local physiotherapist to conduct regular strapping courses.
South Barwon Football Netball Club
South Barwon Football Netball Club’s Suncorp NetSetGO program has impressed parents in the area.
Run by Ainsley Corrigan and former Australian Diamond, Susan Meaney, the program has progressed in leaps and bounds.
Increasing their participants from 12 to 70 in 12 months, Corrigan and Meaney’s enthusiastic attitude and desire to go above and beyond has earned them the Suncorp NetSetGO Centre of the Year award!
