Netball NSW has celebrated the people, performances and community spirit driving the sport forward, with 450 guests gathering for the 2026 Netball NSW State Awards Dinner on Saturday 31 October.
The evening recognised the outstanding contributions of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators and associations from across NSW, with Dr Marjorie O’Neil MP, Member for Coogee, among the special guests.
The awards were presented against a backdrop of significant growth and achievement for netball in NSW. The sport has just ticked over 128,500 members across the state, reflecting the continued strength of its clubs, associations, competitions, pathways and participation programs.
Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott said the awards were an opportunity to recognise the people and communities who make netball such an important part of life across the state.
“Netball in NSW is thriving, and that is because of the extraordinary people who give their time, energy and passion to our sport every day.
“From our elite athletes achieving on the national stage to the volunteers, coaches, umpires and administrators supporting local communities, every contribution helps create opportunities for people to participate, connect and belong.
“We have so much to celebrate as a sport. Saturday night's awards recognised the people behind the numbers and celebrated the vital role they play in making netball such a strong, connected and inclusive community.”
The 2026 highlights demonstrate the scale and impact of netball across the state.
On the national stage, the NSW 19U team won gold at the National Championships in 2026, while the NSW 17U team claimed silver. The NSW Marie Little OAM Shield team also took home a silver, while the NSW Waradas won bronze at the National First Nations Tournament.
Participation continued to grow across all levels of the game, with highlights including:
- 128,500 members across NSW
- 380,000+ annual visitors to Netball Central
- 30,000+ participants in school programs
- 29,000 participants competing at Schools Cups
- 19 athletes Nationally identified across pathway programs
2026 also saw a record number of teams entered across Netball NSW's flagship state competitions, including the HART Junior and Senior State Titles, State Masters and Aware Super Social Masters.
The Netball NSW Foundation has also made an impact in its first eight months through six programs, raising more than $220,000, while the Parliamentary Friends of Netball was launched in March to strengthen engagement and advocacy for the sport.
2026 NETBALL NSW AWARD WINNERS
Netball NSW Hall of Fame Legend Status
Dorothy 'Dot' McHugh OAM
Netball NSW Hall of Fame Heritage List
1980 Netball NSW U16 State Team
Anne Clark BEM Service Award
Justin Rea, Campbelltown District Netball Association
Susan Xenos, Port Stephens Netball Association
Kerry Moses, Blue Mountains Netball Association
Jennie Thompson, Hills District Netball Association
Wayne Chesterton, Bankstown City Netball Association
Marilyn Melhuish OAM Medal – Suncorp Super Netball Player of the Year
Grace Whyte, NSW Swifts
Sophie Dwyer, GIANTS Netball
Nance Kenny OAM Medal – IMB Bank Premier League Opens Player of the Year
Eliza Burton, North Shore United
Wendy Archer AM Medal – IMB Bank Premier League U23 Player of the Year
Georgia Lafford, UTS Randwick Sparks
Men's Netball NSW State Player
Solomon Howard
Margaret Corbett OAM Coaches Award – Coach of the Year
Therri Ellison, Inner West Netball Association
Neita Matthews OAM Umpire Award
Adele Kozak, Inner West Netball Association
Dot McHugh OAM Administrator of the Year Award
Kylie Rea, Campbelltown District Netball Association
Community Volunteer of the Year Award
Sutha Siva, Eastwood Ryde Netball Association / Australian Asian Netball Association
Community Excellence Award
Port Stephens Netball Association
Judy Dunbar Media Award – Best Overall Media Coverage
May Bailey-Ireland
Judy Dunbar Media Award – Community Media Excellence
Kylie Rea, Campbelltown District Netball Association
The Kids Cancer Project Highest Fundraiser
Sutherland Shire Netball Association
