Gretel Tippett has capped off a stellar 2019 with three major awards, including the coveted Liz Ellis Diamond Award at tonight’s 11th annual Australian Netball Awards in Sydney tonight (Nov 30).
The star studded event brought together the who’s who of the Australian netball community to celebrate a strong year of netball that included retaining the Constellation Cup series.
Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year
The night began strongly when Tippett was named in the Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year alongside some of the games leading players:
Goal Shooter – Jhaniele Fowler, West Coast Fever
Goal Attack – Gretel Tippett, Queensland Firebirds
Wing Attack – Liz Watson, Melbourne Vixens
Centre – Kate Moloney, Melbourne Vixens
Wing Defence – Renae Ingles, Melbourne Vixens
Goal Defence – Karla Pretorius, Sunshine Coast Lightning
Goal Keeper – Emily Mannix, Melbourne Vixens
Attack Reserve – Sam Wallace, NSW Swifts
Midcourt Reserve – Ash Brazill, Collingwood Magpies
Defence Reserve – Shamera Sterling, Adelaide Thunderbirds
During 2019, Tippett stamped herself as the nation’s best goal attack, scoring 267 goals for the Diamonds at 95 per cent. She also claimed the Queensland Firebirds’ Laura Geitz Medal as their best and fairest player with 394 goals at 96 per cent accuracy, 130 goal assists and 325 centre pass receives.
The Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year 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.
Netball elite honoured
The night celebrated a raft of major netball milestones, including naming Anne Sargeant OAM and Margaret Pewtress as Legends of the game and inducting Sharelle McMahon and Elsma Merillo into the Hall of Fame.
Gretel Tippett recognised
But the night truly belonged to Gretel Tippett who was named the 2019 Liz Ellis Diamond winner, along with the International Player of the Year and Goal Attack in the Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year.
Tippett was awarded the Liz Ellis Diamond, netball’s highest honour, for her stellar domestic and international seasons with the Queensland Firebirds and Samsung Australian Diamonds respectively.
Congratulations flow in
Queensland Firebirds Head Coach Roselee Jencke congratulated her star shooter on the spectacular result.
“This is an absolutely fantastic result and so well deserved for Gretel. She’s put in so much hard work to develop her game and has had a spectacular year, playing for the Diamonds in the World Cup and in the Constellation Cup. She’s a superstar of the game and we’re looking forward to what next year brings!”
Netball Queensland CEO Catherine Clark congratulated Tippett on her hard work and dedication.
“We are so proud of Gretel. She has had an incredible season, she’s just taken her performance to a whole new level. The fact she has done this in a year that was pretty challenging only highlights what a champion she is. Grets has truly earned this recognition and winning the Liz Ellis Diamond caps of a stunning year for her. Being the caring and beautiful human being she is, all Gretel’s fans will be just so happy for her.”
To see photos and video from the night, please visit our Facebook page!
