Barbara Long OAM has had a contribution to the sport of netball in NSW which spanned seven decades, from her days as a young netballer in the mid 1940’s, to her involvement throughout District Association and State level organisations and up into the National arena.
In 1965, Long formed the Southern District Sports Association Women’s Basketball for youth club, followed by the Southern District Women’s Basketball Association the following year. This Association would later be known as Liverpool City Netball Association, of which Long was the Foundation President for 18 years from 1968 – 1985.
Her commitment to Liverpool City extended well beyond the Committee Room, as Long coached both Liverpool City Representative teams (1965-1980) and Liverpool City State League Team (1996-98), and was a member of the Selection Committee (1965-1980).
Long also managed (1966-68) and coached at junior State (1970-73 and 1981-1986), senior State (1974) and night State level (1974). She was also a Netball NSW Selector for 15 years (1973-1988) and was Netball NSW Junior Vice President in 1976.
She has been on most Netball NSW sub committees during the years of her involvement, including the first sub-committee formed to alter the Netball NSW constitution and incorporate District Associations. Long was on the first building committee before the Anne Clark Centre was built.
At a National level, Long has been a member of the All Australia Netball Association Coaching Panel and held the position of Australian Selector from 1985-1991.
In recognition of her achievements with Netball NSW, Long was awarded the Anne Clark Service Award in 1978 and then in 1982 was awarded with Life Membership of Netball NSW. She was inducted into the NNSW Hall of Fame in 2013 and received an OAM on Australia Day 2014.
