Netball NSW

NSW legends honoured at Netball Australia Awards Night

Monday, November 29, 2010

By Netball NSW/Netball Australia

Netball NSW congratulates the four NSW legends that were inducted into the Netball Australia Hall of Fame at the Netball Australia Awards night on Saturday.

Maureen Boyle OAM, Dorothy McHugh OAM, Carissa Toombs (nee Dalwood) OAM and Keeley Devery were inducted into prestigious company alongside eight other former administrators, officials, coaches and players on the night.

Former umpire Maureen Boyle earned her C badge in 1968 and elevated to an ‘AA badge’ by 1977, making her one of the youngest umpires to receive this accolade. She umpired at numerous international fixtures including four World Championships and the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games. Maureen was appointed to the role of Director of Umpiring (1986–1990) in NSW and during this time developed and implemented the first junior umpiring program and a range of coaching manuals and visual materials. These pioneering programs are the backbone of the umpiring programs today. She retired from umpiring in 2000, but continues to play a key role in the development of umpires and umpiring in Australia and internationally.

It has been a big year for Dorothy ‘Dot’ McHugh who was also inducted into the Netball NSW Hall of Fame earlier this month. Dorothy has served not only NSW but Australia for many years. She was the NSW Delegate to the All Australia Netball Association (now known as Netball Australia) and served on many AANA Committees. She also represented Australia as Delegate at the International Federation of Netball Associations Councils at the World Tournaments in 1975, 1979, 1983, and 1987 before being appointed as General Secretary of IFNA.

Keeley Devery made her Australian Open Team debut in 1985. One of the greatest goalkeepers and gold defenders in the history of Australian netball, Keeley’s career spanned numerous World Championships, Commonwealth Games, with the highlight the historic 1991 World Championship win over the Kiwis by one goal in Sydney. Upon retirement in 1996 Keeley had 69 test caps.

Keeley’s teammate in the 1991 World Championships win, Carissa Toombs, was selected in her first Australian team in 1989 and went on to record 94 test matches. Carissa helped Australia win its third consecutive World Championship title in 1999, retiring as Australia’s second most capped player.

2010 Hall of Fame Inductees

General Members

Maureen Boyle OAM

Paving the way for umpires behind her, Maureen Boyle was the first to receive an International Umpiring Badge. Her contribution to the development and education of umpires nationally and internationally has spanned more than 25 years.

Christine Burton OAM

An Australian player and umpire, Chris Burton has travelled to two World Championships as a player and three as an umpire. Her work in officiating the game has transformed the way the sport is umpired.

Dorothy (Dot) McHugh OAM

Inducted for her contribution in administration and umpiring, Dorothy McHugh has been a figure in netball since the 1950s. General Secretary of IFNA from 1987-1991, McHugh has made a lasting impression on the game around the globe.

Margaret Pewtress OAM (dec)

Involved in umpiring, coaching and administration Margaret Pewtress has been a shining light in raising netball’s profile. Under Pewtress’ leadership Netball Australia developed it first Strategic Plan and increased netball’s profile in the Australian sports community.

Wilma Sharespear OAM

Representing Australia as a player and a coach, Wilma Shakespear was been a key figure in elite netball programs for 30 years. Recording seven Test caps, Sharespear went on to make her biggest contribution off the court in High Performance.

Athlete Members

Keeley Devery-Cox OAM

A talented defender, Keeley Devery-Cox represented the Australian netball team for nine years recording 63 Test caps. After suffering a knee reconstruction in 1987, Devery-Cox took the long hard road of rehabilitation to regain her position in the Australian team.

Kathryn Harby-Williams

Former Australia team captain, Harby-Williams was a tenacious defender. First selected in the Australian team in 1992, Harby-Williams wore the green and gold for 11 years which included three World Championships and two Commonwealth Games.

Simone McKinnis OAM

One of the cleanest wing defences to ever wear the green and gold, Simone McKinnis recorded 63 Test caps for Australia between 1986 and 1998. Regarded as one of the world’s best, McKinnis retired after the Australian team won the inaugural gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Shelley O’Donnell OAM

Playing 80 games for her country, Shelley O’Donnell epitomised the tough, attacking player and dominated the centre court through the 90s. Winning three World Championships and one Commonwealth Games gold medal, there was little in netball O’Donnell didn’t achieve.

Carissa Tombs (Dalwood) OAM

A superb all-round athlete, Carissa Tombs was a tireless centre court player. With three World Championships and one Commonwealth Games gold medal to her name, Tombs was at her peak in a sublime period for Australian netball.

Other Hall of Fame members include:

General Members

Lorna McConchie (Dec.)
Gweneth Benzie AM
Anne Clark BEM(C) (Dec.)

Joyce Brown OAM
Eunice Gill MBE (Dec.)
Deirdre Hyland AM

Athlete Members

Michelle Den Dekker OAM

Gaye Teede
Jill Mcintosh

Margaret Caldow BEM
Jean Cowan MBE
Anne Sargeant OAM
Vicki Wilson OAM

Other award winners announced at the Australian Netball Awards tonight were:

Liz Ellis Diamond – Natalie von Bertouch

Australian ANZ Championship Player of the Year – Natalie von Bertouch

Holden Australian International Player of the Year – Mo’onia Gerrard