Netball Victoria and the Victorian Government have together unveiled a bronze statue of Australian netball icon Anne Henderson at the State Netball Centre ahead of this weekend’s State Titles event.
A fitting tribute to one of Victoria's most prominent netball figures, the statue was made possible through the Victorian Government's Celebrating Female Sporting Icons initiative and the Statues for Equality project, a global effort driving a greater balance of gender and racial representation in public statues.
Henderson joins the growing roster of female sporting legends who have been immortalised in bronze across Victoria, including Olympians Betty Cuthbert, Shirley Strickland and Nova Peris, AFLW star Tayla Harris, and fellow netball great Sharelle McMahon, whose statue was unveiled at John Cain Arena earlier this year.
Henderson's extensive influence on the Victorian and Australian netball landscapes included achieving All-Australian umpire status in 1933, representing Victoria as a player in 1933 and 1934, coaching the Victorian state team on various occasions from 1939 to 1958, and the distinction of coaching the Australian team on its inaugural tour of New Zealand in 1948.
In recognition of her outstanding contribution, Henderson was inducted as a Netball Victoria Life Member in 1939 and posthumously elevated to the Hall of Fame in 1998.
The State Netball Centre in Parkville, home to Victorian netball for over 80 years, has been a significant feature of her enduring legacy. The Royal Park facility was renamed the Anne Henderson Stadium in 1981, and the redeveloped centre features a function space dedicated to Henderson.
The unveiling taking place on the weekend of State Titles also holds great significance, as Metropolitan Region 4 – christened the Henderson region in 1990 by the Victorian Netball State Council – will participate in the two-day statewide competition.
Expertly crafted by renowned sculptors Gillie and Marc, the statue now graces the main entrance of the State Netball Centre and will serve as a celebration of Henderson's lasting impact on the sport.
As the second statue unveiled off the back of Netball Victoria’s campaign, launched on International Women’s Day in 2021, for greater recognition of female sporting icons in our community, today’s event represents another step in addressing the gender imbalance in Victoria's sporting statues and serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role women play in the state's rich sporting history.
"Anne Henderson was a trailblazing figure in Victorian netball, inspiring generations of netballers and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our sport,” said Netball Victoria President Carol Cathcart.
“We’re proud to see her legacy endure in this way, and it’s fitting that Anne’s contribution to our game is still playing a role as we move towards greater representation of women in our state’s celebration of sporting heroes.”
Representing Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, Member for Eltham Vicki Ward said the Celebrating Female Sporting Icons initiative plays a role helping women receive the recognition they deserve.
“Victoria has a long history of female sporting heroes like Anne Henderson who have developed sporting organisations through their unwavering talent and commitment.
“This statue celebrates Anne’s outstanding achievements on and off the court, and is a standing tribute to the legacy that she has created for women and girls across our state.”
