Two high achievers from within The Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League competition have been recognised for their achievements in the coaching and umpiring spaces.
Leanne Eichler, head coach of the Contax Netball Club Premier League side, is the 2023 Performance Development Coach of the Year Award while Renee Reynolds is the Umpire of the Year for the competition.
Eichler is a current elite accredited coach who has a unique ability to identify and nurture talent and has shown a strong commitment to the development of young players and coaches in the high-performance pathways.
Alongside her work with Contax, she is involved with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) and Netball SA High Performance Pathway programs, working closely with multiple athletes who have gone on to earn selection in State & National programs.
As head coach, club coach and junior director at Contax, Eichler is responsible for overseeing all player high performance programs and plays a key role in the development of players.
Additionally, she actively mentors and offers support for the Premier League Reserves coaching staff and all head coaches within the club.
Eichler’s contributions to Contax were a significant factor in the club’s successes in 2023, which included a Premier League and Reserves premiership, and 35 out 36 teams making finals.
Renee Reynolds was selected as Umpire of the Year by Netball SA’s Pathway Manager and High-Performance Umpire Panel, taking into account nominations from her peers.
She was chosen for her outstanding 2023 season, highlighted by her selection to umpire the Adelaide Thunderbirds curtain raiser earlier this year and allocation to umpire The Hospital Research Foundation Premier League Grand Final for the first time.
Receiving multiple nominations from her fellow umpires, Reynolds was acknowledged for her hard work and dedication to umpiring over several years and being a highly respected and valued member of her squad.
Known for being a team player and supportive of fellow umpires, she is a deserving winner for her personal achievements and willingness to help with the development of other umpires.
Reynolds and Eichler received their awards at the Netball SA Awards Gala on September 29.
