Australian Netball Hall of Fame

The Australian Netball Hall of Fame was established in 2008.

Central to the sport’s rich history, this illustrious group are some of the netball’s most respected and celebrated champions.

2012 ATHLETE MEMBERS

Myrtle Baylis (nee Craddock)

All-Australian Netball Team: 1946-49; 1952-54
Australian captain: 1953
Test Number: 10
Test Caps: 3

Myrtle Baylis was a pioneer in women’s sport, representing both Australia in what was know as women’s basketball, which would later become known as netball in 1970, and cricket in the same year. A notable goal attack for Victoria between 1937-1954, Baylis made her international netball debut in August 1948, just five months after making her Australian cricket debut, both against New Zealand. Selected in the Australian Netball Team between 1946-49; 1952-54, including as captain in 1953, Baylis played in the only three international Tests between 1939-1955. The now 92-year old was a member of Australia’s first ever Australian international netball tour in 1948 and contested the second ever international trans-Tasman Test match on debut in Dunedin. Baylis was named in Netball Victoria’s ‘Team of the Century’ in 2000 followed by her induction in Netball’s ‘Legends of the Game’ a year later.

Click here to watch the Myrtle Bayliss tribute video.

Annette Simper (nee Foley)

All-Australian Netball Team: 1960-63; 1968; 1970-71
Test Number: 33
Test Caps: 12

A two-time World Champion, known for her versatility on court, Annette Simper (nee Foley) is generally regarded as one of the finest defensive players ever produced in Western Australia. Comfortable in just about any position on court, it was her extraordinary defensive efforts that lead to her selection in WA State Open team in 1959 at the age of just 15 years old, going on to represent the state until 1974. Simper won All-Australian selection in seven of those years however international opportunities were few and far between at that time. When the World Netball Championships were introduced in 1963, Simper took the opportunity with both hands, representing Australia at the triumphant inaugural tournament, where Australia beat New Zealand in the final by a goal, 37-36. After withdrawing from the 1967 world championships due to the impending birth of her first child, Simper would again wear the green and gold at the victorious 1971 World Netball Championships, this time playing in the mid-court. Not just a skilful player, Annette was awarded an AA Umpires badge in 1969 and coached the Australian 21/U team in 1984.

2012 GENERAL MEMBERS

Dr Grace Bryant OAM

Australian Netball Team doctor: 1991-1999
Commonwealth Games: 1998, 2002, 2006

Doctor Grace Bryant has devoted much of her career to ensuring that Australia triumphs in the international sporting arena. The Australian Netball Team doctor between 1991 and 1999, Dr Bryant oversaw the national team for many of the most significant moments in Australia’s netball history, including the 1991 World Netball Championships victory over the New Zealand Silver Ferns in Sydney. As a doctor for the Australian Commonwealth Games team in 1998, 2002 and 2006, Dr Bryant allocated herself to the Australian netball team, who won gold medals in Kuala Lumpur and Manchester followed by silver in Melbourne under her capable hands. In 2008, Dr Bryant was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to various sports organisations and was appointed as a member of the International Federation of Netball Association (IFNA) Medical Panel.

2011 ATHLETE MEMBERS

Liz Ellis
Liz Ellis is a legend of Australian Netball and regarded by many as one the greatest defenders to play the game. With three World titles, two Commonwealth Games gold medals, four national league titles and MVP awards with the Sydney TAB Swifts, Ellis retired from the sport having achieved every individual and team accomplishment possible. Ellis made her debut for Australia in 1993 and played a record 122 test caps in an international career spanning 15 years.  She became the national Captain in 2004 and remains the most capped player in Australian netball history.  Ellis retired from the sport at age 34, capping off a remarkable comeback from a knee reconstruction to Captain Australia to the World Championship in 2007.

Click here to watch the Liz Ellis tribute video 

Julie Francou
With an international career spanning over a decade, South Australia’s Julie Francou was regarded as one of the nation’s finest centre court players. First selected in the national squad at 18, Francou competed in two successful World Championship campaigns in 1979 and 1983. Francou defied the odds throughout her career to overcome two knee reconstructions and played 32 test caps in the green and gold. She was named Captain of the Australian team for the 1983 World Championship team and never lost a game as Captain.  

Click here to watch the Julie Francou tribute video

2010 ATHLETE MEMBERS

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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 AM
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.

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.

MICHELLE DEN DEKKER OAM
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.

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.

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.

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.