Christine Glenn has been awarded the 2020 Vanessa Dempsey Award for her significant contribution to the engagement and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander netball participants and communities.
Glenn was nominated not only for her work with Kaleteeya & Central Districts Netball Club and the SA Nunga Netball Carnival, but her contribution to local and remote Aboriginal communities and schools all over South Australia.
Having run netball clinics across the state, her passion for getting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes of all ages involved in Netball from playing to coaching and umpiring is undeniable.
Glenn has spent the past five years working closely with the Netball SA and South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy’s Aboriginal Netball Academy, encouraging students to not only chase their netball dreams but to also strengthen their connection with their culture.
Inaugural winner Vanessa Dempsey presenting Christine Glenn with the Vanessa Dempsey 2020 Award.On receiving the award, Glenn said what motivated her most was seeing the smiles on the young players’ faces.
“I love to see them happy and making strong friendships and connections,” Glenn said.
“It gives them a place they can feel like they belong among other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and boys.
“It means a lot to Indigenous people across the country that we all get behind Aboriginal people in netball and help develop them up so one day we can see Indigenous athletes representing the Australian Diamonds.”
The award winner is selected in consultation between a member of the Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group and Netball SA staff members.
Award Criteria
- Any individual, netball community group, Association or Club is eligible.
- The nominee has made significant contribution in engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the netball community.
- The nominee supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the sport of netball.
- The nominee has developed opportunities, competitions or programs for inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Applications must provide evidence of consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and/or communities to ensure the initiative meets the needs of the community.
- A nominee may only receive this award once.
