Victoria’s netball community celebrated at 2026 Netball Victoria Awards

Netball Victoria has celebrated the people, clubs, associations and athletes making an outstanding contribution to the sport across the state at the 2026 Netball Victoria Awards.

Held at RACV Club Melbourne on Sunday 18 October, the event brought together representatives from across Victoria to recognise excellence in community netball, leadership, service, participation and performance.

For the first time, the Victorian Netball League and State awards were also presented as part of the event, bringing community, pathways and elite achievements together in one celebration.

The awards recognised contributions across every level of the game, from grassroots participation and development pathways to elite competition, recognising the dedication of umpires, coaches, volunteers, administrators, clubs, associations and athletes.

Highlights of the evening included the announcement of the 2026 Community Award winners, the induction of Lisa Alexander AM, Liz Upton and Carmel Wright as Netball Victoria Life Members and the presentation of the Victorian Netball League Service Award to Heather Dawkins. Rebecca Bulley and Renae Ingles were also recognised as Legends of the Game.

Athletes from the Victorian Netball League and all four Netball Victoria state programs were celebrated, showcasing the depth of talent across the state and the strength of the pathways supporting Victorian netball.

Netball Victoria President Carol Cathcart congratulated all award recipients and thanked the Victorian netball community for its continued commitment to inspiring a lifelong love of the game.

“Netball in Victoria continues to go from strength to strength because of the extraordinary people who give their time, energy and passion to our game,” Cathcart said.

“It is a privilege to welcome Lisa Alexander AM, Liz Upton and Carmel Wright as Life Members and to recognise their exceptional contribution to netball in Victoria.

“We also congratulate Heather Dawkins on receiving the Victorian Netball League Service Award and Rebecca Bulley and Renae Ingles on being celebrated as Legends of the Game. Their leadership, service and achievements have enriched our sport and inspired so many across the netball community.

“Together with our community award winners and athletes from the Victorian Netball League and state programs, these recipients reflect the strength, diversity and spirit of Victorian netball. With record participation, strong pathways and a deep commitment to inclusion, we are building a sport where everyone belongs and creating even more opportunities for Victorians to play, grow, inspire and lead.”

Netball Victoria General Manager – High Performance and Pathways Sharelle McMahon said recognising state program and Victorian Netball League athletes alongside contributors from across the sport highlighted the important connection between community netball and the high-performance pathway.

“This event is a wonderful celebration of netball across Victoria, and it is especially meaningful to recognise our state athletes alongside the volunteers, coaches, umpires, clubs and associations who make our game so strong,” McMahon said.

“Our pathway programs are built on the dedication and talent that exists across the state. Seeing athletes from all four Netball Victoria state programs and the Victorian Netball League celebrated together reflects the depth of our sport, the strength of the connection between our pathways and premier competition, and the exciting future ahead for Victorian netball.”