GIANTS Netball Coach Julie Fitzgerald has today been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours list.
The most capped coach in the history of the National Netball League, Fitzgerald has been recognised for her significant and successful contribution to Netball and as mentor to sportswomen.
The appointment is in recognition of her hard-work, service and dedication and celebrates the indelible mark Fitzgerald has made on the game.
GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews said Fitzgerald is a worthy recipient.
“On behalf of everyone associated with the GIANTS we congratulate Julie on this tremendous honour,” Mr Matthews said.
“Julie has been the guiding light of GIANTS Netball since the program’s inception in 2016 and we’re delighted she has been recognised in such a fitting manner.
“Her passion for not only GIANTS Netball but the wider club is admired by everyone associated with the GIANTS. We are proud to have a number of wonderful female role models, such as Julie, as part of our AFL, AFLW and Netball programs and to provide a clear pathway to elite sport for aspiring males and females from across New South Wales and the ACT.
“This honour is worthy recognition for the role Julie’s played in growing female sport over a long period of time, she has inspired countless female athletes and continues to do so today.”
A humbled Fitzgerald said she was astounded when she was notified she’d be receiving the honour.
“It’s not something you ever really expect to get, but I am certainly very proud and it’s something really nice for the whole family,” she said.
“Being involved in high performance sport means time away from your family, so it’s great to be able to share and celebrate this recognition with them.
“I absolutely love what I do and I can honestly say I love the sport as much now as the first day I started coaching my first team.
“We’ve still got a long way to go, but what women’s sport has achieved in the past few years has been outstanding.”
Since beginning her career at the Ku-ring-gai Netball Association during high school, Fitzgerald has developed a reputation as one of the country’s most respected coaches and administrators.
As a four-time premiership winning coach, Fitzgerald spent stints with both the Australian Institute of Sport and Waikato Bay Plenty of Magic before returning to Sydney to lead GIANTS Netball.
Fitzgerald has led GIANTS Netball in their first three seasons and will be in charge of the team when the 2020 season gets underway at the beginning of August.
Fitzgerald will be recognised at an official ceremony later in the year.
