Australian defender Courtney Bruce has been crowned the winner of Australian netball’s most prestigious award, the Liz Ellis Diamond for 2023.
The 29-year-old winning the award for a second time, capping off a fantastic year.
From a young shy kid who initially “hated netball”, Bruce has become a household name.
Speaking at the event Bruce was humble to be named the recipient of this year’s Liz Ellis Diamond.
"It is absolutely crazy to win,” Bruce said.
"Not many people see the hard work that we put in behind the scenes to get to perform every day.
"This award is so special considering the bunch of athletes currently playing in Australia. I am so grateful to spend the time I do with my teams and to treasure the memories on and off the court."
Hailing from Gosnells in Western Australia, Bruce expressed how much it meant to win the award and have her parents in the room.
Bruce's parents were in attendance.“It was really lovely to have them here, Mum and Dad have been a huge part of my journey to get to this point so to have them here was really nice,” she said.
The Liz Ellis Diamond winner is crowned based on their performance both throughout the Suncorp Super Netball season as well as their year in the Origin Diamonds dress.
Reflecting on 2023, Bruce recalled how it felt to win world netball’s most pinnacle event, the Netball World Cup.
“The World Cup win was incredible, that loss to England was devastating but the best thing about this group is how we bounce back,” Bruce said.
“To get that win and quite convincingly over England in the end was super special and to do it with the bunch of girls that I got to do it with was so special.”
As well as walking away with the Liz Ellis Diamond, Bruce was also recognised as the International Player of the Year, becoming the sixth Origin Diamond in the last decade to take home both awards.
Bruce’s accolades piled up in 2023 with the 29-year-old also named Defender of the Series at the 2023 Netball Quad Series and 2023 Netball World Cup.
On the Suncorp Super Netball court Bruce starred as captain of the West Coast Fever and was named as a reserve in the Team of the Year voted on by an independent panel each match.
Bruce was instrumental throughout Fever's 2023 season.Bruce tallied 35 intercepts, 103 deflections and 39 rebounds throughout the season.
The rest of the evening’s award recipients were as follows;
The Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year:
Goal shooter – Donnell Wallam
Goal attack – Helen Housby
Wing attack – Paige Hadley
Centre – Jamie-Lee Price
Wing defence – Latanya Wilson
Goal defence – Jodi-Ann Ward
Goal keeper – Shamera Sterling
Attack reserve – Steph Wood
Centre reserve – Liz Watson
Defence reserve – Courtney Bruce
Suncorp Super Netball Player of the Year:
Shamera Sterling
Suncorp Super Netball Rookie of the Year:
Lucy Austin
Joyce Brown Coach of the Year:
Stacey Marinkovich
Fast5 Netball World Series Player of the Series:
Matilda Garrett
Australian Netball Championships Player of the Year:
Emily Andrew
Lorna McConchie Umpire of the Year:
Josh Bowring
Netball Australia Hall of Fame:
Pam Redmond (Diamond #64)
Sue Kenny OAM (Diamond #98)
Hall of Fame Legend:
Jill McIntosh AM
Service Award:
Sean Mungovan
