Carolyn Downing has been recognised as one of five 2025 Life Member inductees, celebrating their outstanding service and lasting contribution to our sport across South Australia.
Carolyn’s record of service, leadership, commitment, and contribution to netball in our state spans more than four decades and stands as an extraordinary example of dedication to the sport, its people, and its future.
Carolyn has given a lifetime of outstanding and sustained service to netball across multiple roles including player, coach, umpire, administrator, mentor, and leader. Her commitment far exceeds the minimum requirement of 15 years, and she is a life member of the Echunga Netball Club as well as the Mid Hills Netball Association – both of which she is still an active member of today.
She has been in leadership roles at both the Echunga Netball Club and Mid Hills Netball Association, as well as a longstanding coach and player. She is well known for her service to umpiring at club and association level, and as a respected B Badged umpire was the first Mid Hills umpire to achieve 250 League Matches in 2015. She has run countless development end education opportunities for umpires, coaches and players – increasing grassroots participation and consistency across the club and association. She has been recognised with multiple awards for both her umpiring and coaching, and her service, leadership, technical excellence, community contribution, and enduring impact epitomise what Netball SA’s life membership represents.
Carolyn has inspired thousands, strengthened associations, grown participation, elevated standards, and left an indelible mark on our sport.
Carolyn was presented with her Life Membership at Netball SA's 2025 AGM on Thursday, April 30th.
