The Netball community is in mourning following the passing of former Netball WA President and President of All Australia Women’s Basketball Association (now known as Netball Australia) Audrey Fairchild.
When Audrey passed away on January 11 aged 98, the Netball community was filled with sadness whilst at the same time, strong memories of the outstanding contribution she made to the sport and of the significant affect she had on so many young women throughout her time were expressed and shared.
As a young woman, Audrey was athletic and capable, representing the State in both swimming and basketball (netball). In 1948 as a member of the WA Team she was selected in the Australian Women’s Basketball Team to Tour New Zealand. In 1950 she was appointed Captain of WA.
Although she did not play again Audrey knew the value of playing the game at all levels and in 1958 agreed to coach the local Floreat Park Primary School Team with players from this group going on to form Florettas Club. Many of these young women became active and important players, coaches and umpires in the local competition largely due to Audrey’s encouragement and guidance.
From 1943 to 1970 Audrey held the positions of the WA Association’s Secretary, President, State Team Manager, Liason/Delegate to the National body, often in dual roles.
As President of WA Women’s Basketball Association (now known as Netball WA) from 1963 to 1970 she was appointed to the position of President of All Australia Women’s Basketball Association (now known as Netball Australia) when both the National Championships and the 2nd World Tournament were conducted in Perth August 1967. Audrey was Official Hostess to the largest international female-only competitor event to be held in Australia to that date and in Perth was 2nd only to the 1962 Commonwealth Games, for all international competitors. A role model to so many.
It was during the build-up to the World Tournament that Audrey met her second husband John, a member of the organising Committee who continued to support her invaluable contribution to the sport.
Her experience as Manager of WA State Open Teams in previous years earned Audrey the appointment of Team Manager of the Australian Team Tour to New Zealand in 1969. In the same year, she was manager of the WA Open Team which won the National Championships outright for the first time. During this era, protocol dictated the Manager operated as the first Team Official and spokesperson at Official Functions, a role Audrey carried out with poise.
It was her ability to engage with the various levels of Government and business community and to convince these groups to commit to all levels of the sport which was extremely valuable. Her connection with Councillor Bertha Beecroft of the Perth City Council in relation to the development of Matthews Netball Centre was most beneficial. At interview and on retiring as President Audrey was quoted as saying “I felt the thrill every time I walked into that Centre. It was good to know that all those girls were there, that we, the Committee had been able to attract them to the sport”.
In 1949 Audrey became the 3rd person to be awarded Life Membership of the State Association (WAWBBA) after Maude Matthews and Dorothy Hoskins.
In recognition of her contribution at the national level Audrey was given the All Australian Netball Service Award in 1967.
Audrey was a special lady, a role model to so many. She will not be forgotten, her legacy lives on.
