The 2025 winners were all revealed as part of Netball Queensland’s Leaders Conference at the University of Queensland – a fitting venue in the 10th year of the partnership with Netball Queensland and the Queensland Firebirds.
Rachelle’s recognition capped off an inspiring day, where leaders from across the state gathered to celebrate the achievements of the past year and look ahead to the future of netball in Queensland.
Alongside the announcement of the Community Award winners, the conference featured the launch of the new Netball Queensland Strategic Plan 2026 - 2028, outlining a clear direction for growth across all levels of the sport.
Attendees also witnessed the unveiling of the Netball Queensland Commercial Hub – a dedicated new service designed to directly support members, associations and clubs – as well as Disability Inclusion Toolkit and State of the Game presentations.
The agenda also included a thought-provoking feature session titled Healthy Competitions – Striking the balance between enjoyment and performance, and the unveiling of the 2026 Play Netball marketing campaign, which celebrates the pillars that define the Queensland netball experience: community, friendship, competition, inclusion and leadership.
Queensland Firebirds Head Coach Kiri Wills delivered a keynote address reflecting on her first 12 months in the role, sharing insights into leadership, culture and connection within elite netball.
Netball Queensland Chief Executive Officer Kate Davies also paid tribute to Metropolitan Districts Netball Association and Netball Queensland Life Member Morna Franklin, acknowledging her remarkable contribution to the game following her recent passing.
Netball Queensland partners and suppliers including HART Sport, Court Craft, Tribal, Containers for Change and CPR Group exhibited throughout the day, with the Netball Queensland Youth Advisory Group attending in full.
2025 Netball Queensland Community Award Winners
Community Coach of the Year - Chris Beckett (Darling Downs Panthers)
Community Official of the Year - Stacey Joseph (Gladstone Netball Association)
Woolworths NetSetGO Centre of the Year - Kingaroy Netball Association
Netball for All - Bundaberg Netball Association
Community Organisation of the Year (less than 500 people) - Tablelands Netball Association
Community Organisation of the Year (more than 500 people) - Capricorn Coast Netball Association
Spirit of Netball (Youth) - Emma Frohmuller (Caloundra District Netball Association)
Spirit of Netball - Rachelle Swan (Pine Rivers Netball Association)
