There is no denying that Wilma Shakespear has helped shape the sport of netball throughout her years lending herself to Netball Victoria, Netball Queensland, the Australian Diamonds and of course abroad. Boasting an incredibly decorated resume littered with amazing achievements it is only fitting that Wilma was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
As a member of our netball community and a representative on the biggest stage, Wilma has dedicated her life to the betterment of netball and this honour is recognition of her commitment. The Hall of Fame offers a platform for individuals to be recognised for their service to the sport of netball and continual support for the game, two key attributes Wilma personifies.
Now a Queenslander, Wilma paid homage to where it all began, back in Victoria.
“I was really excited because Victoria is where I began my career and I just think to be recognised by them is very special. It provided me the opportunity to create a lot of special events in my life. I just think it’s nice for my old hometown to recognise you and say well done.”
Casting an eye over Wilma’s netball life it is fair to say that the defender has had an impressive journey and embodies what it means to be a Vixen through her fearless leadership. Wilma’s journey started quite young with her physical education teacher encouraging her to continue netball out of school – a moment that Wilma highlighted as significant in the establishment of her netball life.
“I was just playing with friends and family in a local church group and luckily my mum listened because I went to the Aberfeldie club and started playing there. But I often think what if, what if that advice had never been given or what if mum thought ‘oh no need to do that’ because that was really the big spark that set things off although you don’t know it at the time.”
Wilma also credits the role that her mother played in her life highlighting her encouragement and willingness to get Wilma involved in netball.
“Playing at Aberfeldie proved to be the opportunity where the doors opened. I was playing in their first team very quickly and in the state team.”
Wilma represented Victoria from 1960 to 1962 and then again in 1964-1965. Before going on to represent Australia from 1961 to 1965. She played seven caps for the green and gold, offering a strong defensive presence inside the circle.
Throughout that time Wilma rose through the ranks, named vice-captain for both the Australian and Victorian squad. Wilma was also a member of the history making Australian side claiming gold at the inaugural World Tournament now known as the Netball World Championships back in 1963.
It was a historic win for the goal keeper with Australia managing to scrape past New Zealand by one goal. In fact, Wilma was one of five Victorian players to take the court in that win highlighting the overall dominance of the state.
Not only was Wilma a formidable figure on the court but so too off it, stepping up as the Australian head coach in 1969. At the ripe age of 26, Wilma became the Diamonds head coach a moment she looks back upon with fond memories.
“When I got in there [coaching] I really quite liked it. The athletes really appreciated someone who had been on the court at a high level quite recently,” she said.
Coaching came “naturally” to Wilma given her teaching background and in-depth netball knowledge making the transition from playing to coaching quite seamless. Under her reigns Wilma led Australia to two victorious World Tournaments in 1970, 1979 and 1987 across the globe.
The accolades did not stop there, with Wilma also receiving the Netball Australia Service Award in 1989 for her contribution to the game along with the Medal of Australia in 1992. Wilma also left a lasting imprint receiving the Australian Institute of Sport Order of Merit before later taking on the position of Director of the Queensland Academy of Sport – helping to build the organisation from scratch.
“I really loved going in and establishing something [Queensland Academy of Sport]. I was surprised in a way with how much my coaching background, how much experience and expertise it gave me in the high-performance world.”
“The government were really keen to see this new entity start so I loved it. It was a great opportunity to test you and develop new skills particularly in the leadership and management section. But also you could enjoy watching something special grow from the ground up.”
Her other awards include:
- Netball Victoria – Team of the Century 200
- Netball Victoria – Legends of the Game 2001
- 2002-2008 National Director of the English Institute of Sport.
- Netball Australia Awards – Inducted General Member ‘Netball Australia Hall of Fame
