Vale Margaret Corbett OAM

The Illawarra Academy of Sport is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Life Member Margaret Corbett OAM.

A Netball NSW Hall of Fame Inductee (2006), who was bestowed with Legend Status in 2019 – the organisation’s highest honour – Margaret made an immense contribution to the sport at international, national, state and community levels over the course of her life.

Margaret was the Academy’s first Netball Coordinator and served from 1985 to 1992. For much of this time she was also the NSW Open Team Coach and the NSW Director of Coaching, a member of the Australian Team selection panel, as well as holding several other Netball positions at a State and National level.

The structure and high standard of the Academy’s netball program since 1985 has been due to Margaret’s strong input, exceptional knowledge and love of netball. She was with such extensive experience, the ideal choice to draw up and implement the Academies foundation Netball Program.

Margaret was appointed the NSW Academy of Sport Netball Coach in 1991, however despite her many other commitments, she continued to take a very active interest in the affairs of the IAS Netball Program, including the role of Mentor Coach up until 2015. In addition, Margaret had been a strong supporter of the Illawarra Academy in all respects and had been a regular attendee at Academy Functions, especially Academy Presentation Nights. Margaret had formed a close working relationship with several Academy Directors and Staff and had been a vocal supporter of not only the IAS but of the value of Regional Academies in general. She is credited with having had netball included in the programs of all Regional Academies in NSW.

Among many awards, Margaret was bestowed Life Member of Netball NSW in 1982. In 2006 she was inducted into the NSW Netball Hall of Fame and in 2013 was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her services to Netball. She has been called quite rightly, an “icon” of the sport.

The Illawarra Academy of Sport is privileged to have had the very valuable contribution of Margaret Corbett OAM over many years. Margaret will be honoured during our upcoming 40^th anniversary and 2025 Athlete Award ceremony on 1 September.

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