Netball Victoria sadly regrets to inform the netball community that we have lost an incredible member of our sport, Adele Lardner.
Adele was a Life Member of Netball Victoria, after dedicating a lifetime to netball as a player, umpire, coach and administrator.
She began playing the sport aged 14 for the Melbourne Netball Club and gradually worked her way up in the sport, representing Victoria at 18/Under and 16/Under level. Adele both captained and coached the Victorian Night Team at Open level. Adele also achieved her AA umpires badge, and dedicated much time to the development of umpires in the State.
Adele held various executive and committee roles with the Victorian Women’s Basketball Association, and helped establish the Palladians Netball Club alongside the late Margaret Pewtress.
Adele was active in the formation of the Victorian Netball Association, which saw the alignment of day and night associations under the same body for the first time. She then went on to hold roles including Vice-President, Chairwoman of the Umpires Section, Publicity Officer and State Director with VNA.
Her most revered playing memory was as the Captain of the Melbourne Blue team that went for a whole year (day, night and Moomba competitions) without having double figures scored against them in any one match.
Adele was most proud of the Melbourne and Palladian Clubs and lived by their philosophy, as pioneered by the late Anne Henderson, to provide opportunities for all girls to enjoy netball while encouraging excellence and never to discriminate because of lack of playing ability.
Netball Victoria would like to pass on our condolences to Adele’s husband Peter and her family and friends during this time
Adele passed away aged 83 on Wednesday 18 May.