A selection of South Australia’s best coaches, umpires and volunteers have been recognised by their communities for their invaluable contribution to the game they love.
This week, Netball SA is revealing the finalists across five categories before the winners are crowned at the inaugural 2021 Netball SA Awards on Friday, September 24.
Read the finalists for the Volunteer Achievement Award HERE.
TICKETS: Click HERE to purchase tickets to netball's night of nights
Nominations from across the state came flooding in this month for the Volunteer Achievement Award (Country and Metro), Coach of the Year (Performance Development), Coach of the Year (Community) and Umpire of the Year (Community).
Last week, the Netball SA Awards Panel - chaired by the General Manager of Netball Erin Haines and consisting of one Netball SA Board representative and two sponsor representatives - convened to review all nominations against the criteria and shortlisted the finalists.
Below are the finalists for the Coach of the Year awards in Community and for Performance Development in the Netball SA Premier League:
Fruchocs Coach of the Year (Community)
Fiona Bussenschutt – Paskeville Netball Club
- Fiona is a passionate netballer and coach, always bringing others up. She currently coaches the G graders (u13s) and creates amazing opportunities for the team
- She is passionate about teaching her players new skills, inspiring them to come out of their shell and hunt the ball during games
- Fiona has the ability to turn the boring into interesting, having a back-up plan for everything and proving that coaching is in her nature
- On top of coaching, she is also the President of the club and plays in the A grade team and even there, she can’t help but coach.
- She strives to help players become the best team player and individual they can be, giving us all quick pointers after every goal or reinforcing encouraging words
Jake Taylor – Hummocks Netball Club
- Jake has built an enviable culture at Hummocks Netball Club as Senior coordinator and A1 Coach. In addition to being a very well respected, successful and outstanding coach, Jake has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to community netball
- Since Jake’s leadership, the club has enjoyed a level of success that had previously eluded the club. Coming off back-to-back premierships, all five senior grades have again finished within top two in the minor round. This is testament to Jake's exceptional commitment to his coaching, which has had a positive effect on community moral and well-being
- Jake also strives to create club and community cohesion off the court. He is a passionate organiser, coordinating more than eight events for the community to come together this year, offering something for everyone and bringing people together from all ages and backgrounds
- Jake’s fresh, enthusiastic approach matched with his extensive experience has proved to be a good balance for the club
Nancy Moulds – Uraidla Netball Club
- Nancy is a coaching legend at Uraidla Netball Club, but also more broadly throughout the Hills Netball Association and Netball SA, having been recognised in The Advertiser's Country Netball Legends for 2021
- As a nationally accredited Intermediate Level Coach who has coached for over 50 years across club and regional teams, Nancy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Uraidla Netball Club
- In 2021, she has continued to coach two teams for Uraidla, with both teams on track for finals action
- Nancy is a Life Member of Uraidla Netball Club and the Hills Netball Association, and her passion and dedication to the game and coaching ensure her place as a much loved figure in our community
Woolworths Performance Development Coach of the Year (Premier League)
Leanne Eichler – Contax Netball Club
- As head coach of the Contax Netball Club for over 10 years, Leanne has shown consistent dedication to developing her athletes and giving them opportunities to progress to the elite level
- Her commitment as a high performance coach is undeniable, her success at Premier League Level is a direct result of her focus in developing and promoting junior players through the club’s pathway to the elite level and beyond
- The ongoing success across all Junior pathway grades and the ability for Contax to remain highly competitive from Junior through to Premier League can be attributed to the Contax Academy Programs developed and run under Leanne’s guidance
- Contax has been awarded the Club Excellence Award by Netball SA 8 from 10 years under Leanne’s HP pathway
Dani Johnson - South Adelaide Netball Club
- Dani is the Premier League Head Coach for South Adelaide Netball Club, the Southern Academy Coach and also the Head Coach of the Aboriginal Netball Academy - all Netball SA pathways or programs
- She previously coached the Spencer Academy and coaches at Pembroke School. To say netball is a big part of her life is an understatement
- Her focus is on building well-rounded players across all skills and to support their strengths so that they improve
- Dani is a big contributor to community and pathway netball programs and her passion for player development is outstanding
