Netball has added six new members into the Australian Netball Hall of Fame at the Australian Netball Awards in Melbourne tonight
Central to the sport’s rich history, this illustrious group are some of the netball’s most respected and celebrated champions.

Former legendary players and Australian captains, Jill McIntosh, Michelle den Dekker OAM and Gaye Teede were inducted as Athlete Members while Gweneth Benzie AM, Anne Clark BEM(C) and Lorna McConchie were inducted as General Members.

Netball Australia CEO, Kate Palmer paid tribute to the new members acknowledging the group’s significant contribution to Australian netball and their achievements at the highest level.

“The Hall of Fame, in its second year, continues to build the tradition of our sport, the highest participant female sport in Australia. These women have shaped the sport and made it what it is today,” Palmer explained.

“The six new inductees, in their own way, have helped build netball’s unique culture and made it a dominate feature in Australia’s sporting psyche.”

“These women embody everything that is great about our game.”

The Australian Netball Hall of Fame was established in 2008.

 

General Members

LORNA MCCONCHIE (dec.)
A talented player and passionate administrator of netball, Lorna McConchie left a lasting legacy with the sport. A former Australian and Victorian player in the 1930s, Lorna made a significant impact on and off the court over three decades. Lorna was vice-captain of the Australian team in 1939 which was set to tour New Zealand, until it was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II. In 1956 Lorna took on the role of Australian coach and manager of the first women’s touring netball team to visit England and then in 1963, she coached the undefeated Australian team at the first netball World Tournament, also in England. In 1959, Lorna was the Australian delegate at the Inaugural Conference of Netball’s International Federation. Lorna was awarded an AANA Service Award in 1966, an IFNA Service Award in 1991 and inducted into Netball Victoria ‘Hall of Fame’ in 1998.

GWENETH BENZIE AM
Gweneth Benzie’s outstanding contribution to netball encompassed playing, umpiring and  administration. After being awarded the All Australia Umpire’s Badge in 1938, Gweneth retired as a player to concentrate on umpiring and administration. She was manager of the first World Tournament Australian team that won in England in 1963. As Honorary Secretary/Treasurer during World War II, Gweneth was a member of the Allied forces Welfare Coordinating Committee and arranged competitive matches for the Women’s Services. A decorated administrator, Gweneth contribution to the sport was recognised with awards at a state, national and international level. Gweneth was awarded the IFNA Service Award in 1983, the AANA Service Award in 1965 and she became a South Australia Netball Association Life Member in 1945. In 1978 Gweneth was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her service to netball.

ANNE CLARK BEM(C) (dec.)
A true legend of the sport, Anne Clark’s exceptional contribution to netball administration spanned over six decades. Anne was awarded her All Australia Umpires badge in 1931 and she umpired at most world tournaments from 1938- 1975. Her illustrious umpiring career also saw Anne selected as an umpire for the first A.A team against New Zealand in 1938 and as a senior official and umpire in the second World Tournament in Perth, 1967. Anne was AANA President in 1955, 1960, 1966, 1972 and 1978, received an AA Service Award in 1964 and in 1968 became a life member of Netball NSW. In recognition of her services to Netball, Anne was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1975. The headquarters of the NSW Netball Association has been named in her honor to recognise her outstanding contribution to netball.

 

Athlete Members

Michelle den Dekker (nee Fielke) made her Australian debut in 1985, Michelle went on to play 84 Test matches in the green and gold, captaining Australia from 1988-1995. Michelle held a 92 per cent winning rate as captain, winning 65 of 71 games. Michelle won two World Championships as captain (1991, 1995) and a led Australia to a Commonwealth gold medal in 1990. Michelle was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1992 and awarded the SA Great Award, for services to sport in South Australia in 1993.

GAYE TEEDE
A talented defence, Gaye Teede represented Australia for 13 years (1966-1978). Gaye wore the green and gold in three World Tournaments, in Perth (1967), in Jamaica as captain (1971) and Trinidad and Tobago as vice-captain (1979). She also represented Australia in the New Zealand Tour in 1966 and the England Tour in 1978. Gaye mentored many up and coming netballers when she was the Institute of Sport coach from 1982-1989. During this time she coached the Australian 21/U team to win the inaugural World Youth Cup. In 1991 Gaye coached the Australian Open team with success against New Zealand and England. Gaye has also been inducted into the Hall of Champions in Western Australia.

JILL MCINTOSH
An agile centre court, Jill McIntosh represented Australia for eight years (1979-1986) playing 29 Tests, including a gold medal at the 1983 World Championships in Singapore. Jill illustrious career of playing and coaching accolades like the New Idea’s Australian Netballer of the Year Award in 1981, the Australian Confederation of Sport Coach of the Year Award in 1998 and the Australian Coaching Council Female Coach of the Year Award in 1998 and 1999. Jill coached the national team for nine years, guiding her players to win the 1995 World Championships, the inaugural 1998 Commonwealth Games gold medal, the 1999 World Championships and the 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medal.

 

 

Gweneth Benzie speaks with Anne Sargent after being inducted into Australian Netball Hall of Fame at the Australian Netball Awards