Edna Ross* (nee Metcalf) had a love of netball, or as it was known in the 1920’s as women’s basketball, began when she started playing the game at Arncliffe Domestic Science secondary school in 1925.
After beginning employment with WD & HO Wills at just 14 years old in 1927, she continued to play netball by joining the Vice Regal Club and it was there that she met and became good friends with netball legend, Anne Clark.
Edna was always considered an athlete; she played women’s basketball, cricket and golf at representative levels, as well as involved in swimming carnivals and she claimed victory in the City Girls Diving Championships during her teens.
Edna was first selected to represent NSW in netball when she was 19 years old, and would run out for her state from 1932-1939. Edna first took on a leadership role in 1935 when she was named Vice-Captain, and in 1936 was elevated to the role of NSW Captain becoming the third NSW Captain, a role she continued to do until 1939. Edna was also the captain and coach of the NSW side in 1938.
In 1938 Edna also became the first NSW player to be selected to represent Australia. In that year, the All Australia (AA) team defeated New Zealand in a match played at Royal Park in Melbourne.
A recognised Goal Shooter, Edna also took the court at Wing Attack and after her playing career ended she continued to be involved in the sport. She was a NSW state selector from 1948 to 1950 and 1952, after taking over as NSW Opens Coach in 1951, where she was joined by her good friend Anne Clark as Team Manager.
In 1952 Edna was inducted as a Life Member of the NSW Netball Association.
Edna conducted her netball career, reflecting her Vice Regal Club’s motto: “It is not the prize – but the game”.
Edna was inducted into the Netball NSW Hall of Fame in 2012.
*denotes deceased
