Star defender Courtney Bruce has celebrated her 28th birthday by taking out netball’s highest honour, the 2021 Liz Ellis Diamond, at the Australian Netball Awards.
Bruce claimed her first Liz Ellis Diamond after stand-out domestic and international seasons with the West Coast Fever and Origin Australian Diamonds.
During 2021, the Fever’s longest serving captain stamped herself as the nation’s best goal keeper, finishing the Suncorp Super Netball season with a league-high 97 deflections and 97 gains, equal leader for defensive rebounds (26) and second ranked for intercepts (48).
At the international level, Bruce was at her defensive best in the Constellation Cup against the New Zealand Silver Ferns in March. She finished the four-match series with 26 deflections, six intercepts and nine rebounds.
“There is no better birthday present than winning the Liz Ellis Diamond,” Bruce said.
“I have admired Liz Ellis for such a long time and it is an honour to win this award.
“It is a privilege to represent my country and my state and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout my netball career.”
In recognition of her incredible year as captain with the West Coast Fever, Bruce was also named goal keeper in the Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year (below), which was voted on by players, coaches and high-performance staff and is made up of the highest vote-getter for every position across the court.
- Goal shooter – Jhaniele Fowler (West Coast Fever)
- Goal attack – Jo Harten (GIANTS Netball)
- Wing attack – Maddie Hay (GIANTS Netball)
- Centre – Kim Ravaillion (Queensland Firebirds)
- Wing defence – Gabi Simpson (Queensland Firebirds)
- Goal defence – Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever)
- Goal keeper – Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever)
- Attack reserve – Sam Wallace (NSW Swifts)
- Centre reserve – Jamie-Lee Price (GIANTS Netball)
- Defence reserve – Shamera Sterling (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
West Coast Fever’s Jhaniele Fowler was named the Suncorp Super Netball Player of the Year for the fourth year running, after again finishing as the league’s top goal scorer with 891 goals. She also had three perfect 100 per cent accuracy matches.
Premiership coach Briony Akle was named the Joyce Brown Coach of the Year for her efforts in leading the NSW Swifts to their second league title since 2019.
GIANTS Netball goal attack Sophie Dwyer was rewarded for her break-out season, winning the Suncorp Super Netball Rising Star Award.
The International Player of the Year was taken out by Origin Australian Diamonds captain Liz Watson, after a standout performance during the Constellation Cup against the New Zealand Silver Ferns in March.
Wilma Shakespear AM was bestowed Netball Australia’s highest honour, becoming a Legend in the Hall of Fame for all that she has done for Australian netball. A former Australian Diamond, Australian head coach and leading sports administrator, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Dorothy Lavater was inducted into the Netball Australia Hall of Fame in recognition of her significant contribution to Australian netball. In her 80 plus years she has been a constant within the sport, contributing and encouraging young females from grassroots to the elite level.
In recognition of their outstanding service to netball umpiring over many years, Marjory Kerslake was awarded this year’s Spirit of Netball Award and Jacqui Jashari was the recipient of the Service Award.
Andrea Booth was named the Lorna McConchie Umpire of the Year for her contribution to umpiring across the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season.
