Our 2023 Community Award winners were announced on Thursday night. It was fantastic to celebrate the contribution of so many members of our netball community, and recognise their efforts to support and grow netball across Victoria.
Teacher of the Year - Megan Leishman
Presented by Deakin University
Megan has shown exceptional dedication and influence in developing junior boys' netball at Geelong Central Netball Association. Her instrumental role ensured the successful launch of the inaugural Junior Boys’ Netball Competition, fostering a supportive and enthusiastic environment for her students. Her active involvement in the School Sport Victoria netball program ensured more playing opportunities for boys, introducing the sport to new players and creating a positive sporting experience. Megan's influence extended to Belmont Primary School, where she engaged students and encouraged their participation in the Geelong Central Netball Association's competition. Her proactive engagement with families and students played a pivotal role in amplifying interest in netball, while her warm and welcoming coaching style has inspired a new wave of netball enthusiasts.
Woolworths NetSetGO Centre of the Year - Essendon Netball Club
Essendon Netball Club (ENC) received the NetSetGO Centre of the Year award, a testament to their unwavering commitment and alignment with program values. Embracing the Child Safe Standards and Netball Victoria Code of Conduct, ENC ensures a safe and supportive environment for its participants. The club's dedication to professional development is evident through their coaches' completion of foundational coaching courses and the 'Getting to know NSG' program. Encouraging inclusivity, ENC modified their program to cater to diverse skill levels, allowing all children to participate comfortably and feel a sense of belonging. By organising all three tiers of the program to run alongside each other, ENC facilitates interaction between different age groups, fostering mentorship opportunities and creating a cohesive club spirit. Celebrating participants' achievements with trophies and certificates adds to the sense of pride and connection within the club. The program's success is reflected in its rapid growth, with numbers soaring organically through word-of-mouth referrals, school newsletters, and recommendations by the association.
WorkSafe Safety Initiative Award - Pines Football Netball Club and Pearcedale Netball Club
Both Pines Football Netball Club and Pearcedale Netball Club were recognised for their dedication to safety as joint winners of the WorkSafe Safety Initiative Award.
Pines Football Netball Club received the WorkSafe Safety Initiative Award for their proactive response to facility loss at Eric Bell Reserve. Despite losing their pavilion and changerooms, their committee ensured a secure setup, including temporary changerooms, a marquee, first aid rooms and more, with safe walking paths and disabled access. Their commitment to safety extended to qualified coaching, tailored preseason programs, and injury prevention initiatives like the KNEE program. The innovative hub not only fostered community spirit within the club but also warmly welcomed visiting teams, creating a sense of inclusion.
With SafeTALK suicide prevention training for key committee members, first aid sessions, injury reporting coaching, and the integration of Safe Netball app audits and checklists, Pearcedale Netball Club is ensuring safety at every level. The clubhouse now houses comprehensive resources aiding coaches, parents, and children. Implementing Child Safety compliance planning and e-Safety training further fortifies their commitment to online security. These proactive measures epitomise Pearcedale's unwavering dedication to fostering a safe and secure environment for all involved.
Umpire of the Year - Sophie Cook
Presented by WorkSafe Victoria
Sophie Cook's achievement as the Umpire of the Year stems from her dedicated efforts in fostering a nurturing environment for up-and-coming umpires at Warragul and District Netball Association. Over three years she established Court Supervisors, a program aimed at cultivating respectful conduct both on the sidelines and during gameplay. Emphasising mentorship, beginner umpires benefit from guidance and support throughout the season, ensuring a positive learning experience. Sophie's innovative concept of junior umpires sporting coloured sweatbands serves as a visual reminder for everyone to respect umpires as they make their way through the pathway. With supervisors ensuring their safety across multiple courts, she also arranged first aid education for all umpires and officials following prior injuries. Her tireless commitment to elevating netball standards and collaborating with Netball Victoria to enhance WDNA's expertise makes her a deserving recipient of the Umpire of the Year award.
Inclusive Netball Community of the Year - Wyndham Netball Association
Presented by RACV
In the past year, Wyndham Netball Association has introduced several initiatives for groups of people who have been previously unable to participate in local netball. They have specifically reached out to young people, people with a disability, multicultural communities, and mature-aged women. Their initiatives included free school holiday clinics catering to multicultural residents, which engaged approximately 1200 students across 12 local schools. Partnering with Netball Victoria, they organised free skill sessions fostering community involvement and collaboration with local schools. The introduction of a weekly Walking Netball program saw over 100 participants step on court, most of whom were women who had stopped playing due to injury, career, or family commitments. The Association also launched a weekly All Abilities for Youth program in collaboration with Sport4All and the Wyndham Disability Network, increasing netball visibility and ensuring that netball is a welcoming and accessible recreational activity for their community.
Volunteer of the Year - Graham Scull
Presented by HCF
Graham Scull's contribution at Sandringham & District Netball Association has spanned over 15 years, including successfully advocating for a new netball facility in the Bayside area, a decade-long endeavour showcasing his commitment to fostering netball's growth and accessibility. His contributions encompass extensive liaising with councils, Netball Victoria, and legal entities to secure agreements and strategic plans, ensuring a bright future for netball in Bayside. Despite his daughters no longer playing, you can find Graham courtside every Saturday, which exemplifies his devotion to Sandringham netball. Graham's leadership in cultivating an inclusive and positive culture further enhances Sandringham's netball community, setting a benchmark for excellence across the association. His dedication has guaranteed a legacy benefiting both current and future players.
Coach of the Year - Noel Halton
Presented by Origin
Noel Halton was awarded Coach of the Year for his exceptional contributions to the Victorian Marie Little Shield team over the past two years. His coaching journey, stemming from Belvoir Special School in Wodonga, reflects his commitment to developing athletes across Victoria. Holding multiple coaching roles at Corowa & District Netball Association, North East Blaze in the Victorian Netball League, and the State Development Talent Academy, Noel's dedication to netball and his players is outstanding. Noel's infectious passion as Assistant Coach of the Marie Little Shield Team was a key factor in the team’s grand final win over New South Wales. His commitment is demonstrated by the countless hours spent commuting – over six hours a fortnight – to the team's training sessions.
Association of the Year - Northern Pride Netball Association
Presented by McCafé
Northern Pride Netball Association's recognition as Association of the Year stems from its comprehensive and positive approach to governance and inclusion. Their dedication to compliance, with a registered Constitution, up-to-date bylaws, and appointing a Member Protection Officer reflects a commitment to child safety. The association is dedicated to growing its community, ensuring a friendly and welcoming atmosphere alongside a growing competitive representative program. Led by Terry Pieper, their umpiring program also excels, fostering youth development and encouraging participation in Parkville competitions and other tournaments. Always striving for excellence, they've improved both facilities and operations, establishing dedicated spaces like offices, umpire zones, and a canteen. Their dedication to improvement and willingness to learn from other associations demonstrates their commitment to innovation.
