Ronda Kimble's extraordinary contribution to netball spanning more than six decades will be recognised later this month, with the New South Wales representative named a recipient of Netball Australia’s Service Award.
Kimble will be honoured at the 2026 Australian Netball Awards in Melbourne on 30 October, alongside Australian Netball Hall of Fame inductees Cheryl Sidebottom, Catherine Cox AM and Laura Geitz.
Beginning her netball journey with the Miranda Magpies in 1960, Kimble has dedicated her life to the sport as a player, coach, umpire, administrator, educator and archivist.
Within two years of joining the club, she was coaching, umpiring and representing the Magpies at district meetings, eventually becoming the club's first Life Member at just 21 years of age.
Kimble later played a key role in establishing the Greystanes Club in Sydney's west, serving as President for 12 years and Umpires Convener for 14 years. Her contribution was recognised through Life Memberships with both Greystanes and the Parramatta-Auburn District Netball Association.
Her impact on officiating and umpire development has been equally significant. Kimble trained and assessed volunteer umpires for almost 25 years, lectured at Netball NSW accreditation courses and umpire training camps, and officiated at State Age and State Championships for more than two decades. She then earned her All-Australia Umpires Badge in 1991 before progressing to national championship appointments.
Kimble’s award is also in recognition of her service with Netball Australia from 1989 to 2007, contributing during a transformative period for the sport including the 1991 World Championships in Sydney, and the establishment of Australia's national netball league.
In more recent years, she has played an important role in preserving the game's history through her work managing and growing Netball Australia's archival collection.
Announcing the award, Netball Australia Chair Liz Ellis AO said Kimble's contribution highlights the vital role volunteers, officials and administrators play in building the sport:
"Ronda reminds us that our game is built just as much by the people who umpire, administer and keep our history safe," Ellis said.
Kimble, among other recipients, will be formally recognised for her significant contributions to the sport at the Australian Netball Awards, held in Melbourne on 30 October.
