Netball NSW would like to congratulate the members of our game’s community who were acknowledged in the King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List.
Long-serving high-performance coach, and ex-NSW Swifts assistant, Anita Keelan (Eastwood Ryde Netball Association) has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to the game as both a coach and administrator.
Part of the Swifts’ backroom team for three Grand Final campaigns, including their 2019 Premiership success, Anita has worked across various Netball NSW programs for many years and has been the Netball Australia Pathway coach since 2022.
Elsewhere Madeline Allen (Westlakes District Netball Association), who has previously received Netball NSW’s Anne Clark Service Award, was recognized with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM), as was Carol Bunton (Randwick Netball Association).
Like Madeline, Carol is also an Anne Clark Service Award recipient.
There was also an OAM for Judith Capovilla for her services to netball. A Life Member of the City of Sydney Netball Association, she has recently served on coaching and umpiring committees at Randwick Netball Association.
Netball NSW Chair Sallianne Faulkner congratulated all who were acknowledged.
“These Honours are about providing us the chance to celebrate those who work tirelessly to improve their local communities,” she said.
“Netball is a staple of every community across Australia and in NSW we are proud to be one of the leading sports of choice.
“However, that is not possible without the efforts of those in our grassroots and pathway programs who continue to go above and beyond to ensure the continued health of the game.
“This is a very special recognition and the continued strong presence of netball in these honours demonstrates its high standing in the national conscience.”
