Netball Victoria has acknowledged the champions of the country’s leading team sport for women and girls at the inaugural Netball Victoria Awards on Sunday.
For many years, the Community Awards have celebrated people in the Victorian netball community who have lived and breathed the values of Netball Victoria, helping the sport thrive and continue to grow.
For the first time, the Netball Victoria Awards were held in a format that celebrated every aspect of the netball community with the announcement of the Community Awards winners, the presentation of Netball Victoria’s newest Life Member, Kate Wright and the acknowledgment of the Victorian Netball League award winners, state representative teams and the Melbourne Vixens, with an event at the RACV City Club, Melbourne, bringing together members of the netball community from across the state.
As the Victorian netball year draws to a close, the sport is on track to again announce a record-breaking membership tally, with more people participating in the sport in Victoria than ever before, already up on last year’s 118,000 registered members.
Presenting at the Netball Victoria Awards, President Carol Cathcart said:
“At Netball Victoria, our mission is to create and inspire that lifelong love of netball, and our vision is clear: for netball to be recognised as the greatest team sport in Victoria.
“Together, we are creating a sport where everyone can belong, and where netball feels like home, in whatever way you are connected.”
Carol along with members of Netball Victoria’s Board and executive team were on hand at the event to present the 2025 Community Award winners.
View the full list of finalists.
Congratulations to the 2025 Community Award winners:
Association of the Year – presented by Gilbert
Frankston District Netball Association
Frankston District Netball Association (FDNA) stands out as a progressive and community-focused organisation, dedicated to promoting netball across all ages and abilities. Working closely with Netball Victoria, FDNA plays a pivotal role in delivering major netball events and running a competition that welcomes over 400 teams weekly, from Woolworths NetSetGo to Walking Netball.
With more than 20 years as an association, FDNA manages a state-of-the-art facility, and empowers women and girls through its strong leadership and staff. The association embeds governance frameworks to ensure best practices and frequently pilots innovative programs in partnership with Netball Victoria.
FDNA’s commitment extends beyond sport, championing health, wellbeing, sustainability, and social responsibility in the community. Their visible elite pathways, including with the Peninsula Waves, combined with extensive grassroots programs, make FDNA a true leader and inspiration in Victorian netball.
Volunteer of the Year – presented by HCF
Bridie Brady (Lara Netball Club)
Bridie Brady embodies the true spirit of volunteerism, consistently going above and beyond to support Lara Netball Club. From meticulously managing team registrations and organising match day logistics, to coordinating canteen supplies and supporting the teams, Bridie’s dedication is unwavering.
Bridie champions inclusion and community connection, successfully securing grants to run awareness sessions on men in sport, LGBTQIA+ issues, multiculturalism, and First Nations culture. She also spearheads programs like Woolworths NetSetGo and social netball initiatives, continually innovating to grow the club and foster a welcoming environment.
Having won Lara’s Club Person of the Year multiple times, and as Woolworths NetSetGo Coordinator for Lara’s Centre of the Year win, Bridie’s tireless work and passion make her an invaluable cornerstone of the club and a truly deserving recipient of this award.
Inclusive Netball Community of the Year – presented by RACV
Warrnambool City Netball Association
For nearly 40 years, Warrnambool City Netball Association has shown an enduring commitment to inclusion through its All Abilities program, creating meaningful netball opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism.
At the heart of this program is long-time coach Marg Morgan, whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental in the team’s success, most recently achieving runners-up at the 2025 Association Championships. Marg’s tireless efforts include attending specialised coaching workshops and working closely with Special Olympics to develop a unified netball program for younger participants in the region.
Through inclusive programs, community leadership, and a culture of support, Warrnambool City Netball Association continues to break down barriers and inspire participation across diverse communities.
Woolworths NetSetGo Centre of the Year – presented by Woolworths
Sunbury Netball Association
Sunbury Netball Association has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to delivering a fun, inclusive, and development-focused Woolworths NetSetGo program. With the support of passionate volunteers, dedicated coaches and a welcoming environment, the association has successfully introduced countless young players to netball, laying strong foundations for lifelong participation in the sport.
What sets Sunbury apart is its focus on enjoyment, skill-building, and teamwork, with older representative players actively involved to ensure every child feels supported, valued, and excited to return each week. The program promotes physical activity, community spirit, and personal growth.
Their efforts have led to exceptional outcomes: increased participation, positive parent feedback, growing volunteer involvement, and visible confidence and development among young players.
Sunbury Netball Association continues to inspire the next generation of netballers and embodies the true spirit of Woolworths NetSetGo.
Teacher of the Year – presented by Deakin University
Paul West (Bairnsdale West Primary School)
Paul West exemplifies the true spirit of Netball Victoria’s Teacher of the Year Award, leading with dedication, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to community. For over a decade, Paul has championed netball as a tool for connection, confidence, and opportunity across East Gippsland.
Through an innovative partnership with The Smith Family, Paul created a program that empowered young First Nations girls at Bairnsdale Secondary College to become netball coaches, developing leadership skills and cultural pride while mentoring younger students.
From organising long-distance travel to ensure Bairnsdale West Primary School students could compete in Netball Victoria’s School Championships, to building partnerships with local clubs to sustain involvement, Paul breaks down barriers and opens doors for every student, regardless of background or ability.
His inclusive programs welcome students of all genders, cultures, and abilities, and his leadership fosters a culture where everyone feels seen, supported, and inspired. Paul West doesn’t just teach netball, he builds leaders, communities, and lifelong connections to the game.
Contribution to Coaching – presented by The Butcher Club
Kelly Haynes (Frankston District Netball Association)
A lifelong member of the Frankston District Netball Association, Kelly Haynes has done it all - player, umpire, coach, and visionary leader. Her dedication to coaching and developing future netballers is unmatched, and her inclusive, positive approach continues to inspire athletes and coaches across all levels, from representative squads to VNL.
Kelly’s impact extends beyond the court. She’s a mentor who generously shares her knowledge, supports emerging coaches, and leads by example with kindness, innovation, and a problem-solving mindset. From initiating income-generating coaching programs to launching new competitions including weekly match play for representative teams, inclusive clinics for boys and players with disabilities, and tournaments for Masters and Waves teams, Kelly’s creative thinking has helped FDNA grow in both participation and opportunity.
Respected across the wider netball community, Kelly’s leadership and passion have made her an invaluable part of FDNA and an outstanding role model.
Contribution to Umpiring – presented by WorkSafe
Jessie Hardess (Heathcote District Football Netball League)
Jessie Hardess is a standout leader in Victorian netball, known for her selfless dedication to umpiring and unwavering commitment to personal and community development. A natural A Grade player, Jessie chose to step back from playing this year to focus on strengthening umpiring pathways for her club and the Heathcote District Football Netball League.
She has invested countless hours mentoring junior umpires, supporting them through weekly matches and training sessions, and helping many achieve their C Grade badges, making her club one of the highest achievers in the league for umpiring accreditation. Jessie holds her C Grade Tester qualification and makes herself available to support clubs across the region, not just her own.
Jessie embraces every development opportunity offered by Netball Victoria, including development workshops, umpiring academies, mentoring programs, and pathway competitions such as the Association Championships and State Titles. Her commitment to continuous learning is matched only by her generosity in sharing that knowledge.
A role model for fair, safe, and confident netball, Jessie has not only elevated the standard of umpiring in her community but has also empowered the next generation of young leaders across the region.
WorkSafe Safety Initiative Award – presented by WorkSafe
Laverton Magpies Football Netball Club
Laverton Magpies Football Netball Club demonstrates an exceptional commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone involved in its netball program.
The club conducts regular court inspections, maintaining well-equipped first aid kits, and ensuring trained first aid officers are present at every game. Coaches prioritise injury prevention through proper warm-ups, technique, and education, while the club’s facilities are kept in top condition with strong partnerships with the local council.
Laverton also leads the way in emergency preparedness and communication, with clear response plans and accessible safety policies. Their ongoing hygiene practices and inclusive culture reflect a genuine, club-wide dedication to safety on and off the court.
Lindenow South Football Netball Club
Lindenow South Football Netball Club has been recognised for its proactive approach to safety and risk management, both on and off the court.
The club has taken clear, practical steps to create a safer environment, from regularly updating safety policies and ensuring all facilities and equipment meet compliance standards, to providing hands-on training for coaches, trainers, players, and volunteers.
They also ran a dedicated safety meeting and a first aid training night to build awareness and confidence among members. Following the TAC Round, the club embraced the Towards Zero and road safety messaging, introducing club endorsements to promote safer behaviours.
