Netball Victoria is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Life Member Coral Sahlberg, aged 85 years.
Coral’s love for netball originated when she was a child – although it was called basketball back in the 1940s – and that passion for the sport continued throughout her life. She collected many accolades within the netball community and fulfilled multiple roles receiving her A-Grade Badge and Level 1 Coaching Accreditation.
Whilst working, Coral organised a lunchtime competition between the various departments and formed a team to participate in a night competition. She was later presented with a Commendation from the Commissioner of Repatriation in recognition for establishing the inter-work competition.
Coral umpired at the Pacific Games in Fiji, when representing a team for Victoria University. She also held the position of Umpires Convenor for the Victorian Catholic Netball Association for numerous years.
She was a tester of umpires and course presenter for both the Victorian Catholic Netball Association and Netball Victoria, another feature of her tremendous service to netball. Coral also coached eight junior and six senior teams from St Christophers’ Airport West that all played in the Victorian Catholic Competition.
While netball encompassed the majority of her life, Coral was also highly valued in her community named as the State Councillor for Cowan Region for a number of years. Her influence in the region and netball knowledge also saw her chosen as team selector for the Victorian Catholic Netball Association, Cowan Region, Victorian Schoolgirls and teams at Royal Park.
Another key highlight for Coral was assisting Julie Hoornweg in the role of Manager of the Australian 17/Under Squad in Melbourne. Coral received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for her service to netball and introduced the Disabled Netball Competition at Royal Park.
In 2003 she was awarded Netball Victoria Life Membership in honour of her outstanding service to netball.
Our thoughts are with Coral’s family, friends and all those in the Victorian netball community lucky enough to spend time with her.
