Moira McGuinness’ (nee McLean)* passion for netball spanned 40 years and many roles; from Club and Association to National levels.
Moira’s introduction to netball began in 1944 when she joined the local Women’s Basketball competition at Moore Park with the “Gaslight Girlies”, which were taken under the wing of NSW legend Anne Clark BEM.
Through the next five years Moira was a reserve player, umpire, Secretary and Chairman of the Scarborough Park Club, was the Moore Park delegate to the NSW Council, before taking up the position of Vice-President of the NSW Executive.
In 1963 Moira moved to St George Group, sparking a long-standing involvement with the Association. Moira was named the foundation President in 1968 when St George Group was voted to be included as a Netball Association, and in the same year took up the Secretary position on the NSW Executive – a position she held for a decade.
Later in life, Moira stated she had three ambitions whilst in the Secretary position – for all Associations and Districts to come under the NSW Women’s Basketball Association umbrella; to change the organisation’s name to the NSW Netball Association, and; to realise a 20-year dream of a NSW Netball headquarters. History shows Moira was successful in all three aspects, with the Anne Clark Centre opening for business in 1980.
From 1978 to her retirement in 1984, Moira was the Secretary/Treasurer of the All Australia Netball Association. During this time Moira was influential in the national body securing headquarter premises at Martin Place, the first paid Netball Association employee, and the introduction of the first Coaching Director.
Moira’s list of accolades include a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Commemorative Medal, an All Australia Service Award, is both a Netball NSW and St George Life Member, and a recipient of the Anne Clark Service Award.
*denotes deceased
