Katanning Netball Association celebrates inaugural awards night crowning best and fairest players of 2023

Eager netballers from around the Great Southern gathered at Katanning Leisure Centre on Saturday, September 2 for the Katanning Netball Association’s inaugural awards night.

The association’s night of all nights brought senior division players, officials and fans from around the league to celebrate all the worthy award winners.

Nadine Milne won the prestigious A-grade fairest and best trophy after her stellar season with Kojonup, who finished runners-up after going down to All Stars 1 in the grand final.

Georgia Kowald was named runner-up fairest and best for a brilliant season with the Olympians.

Emma Naisbitt capped off a premiership-winning season with the Cardinals, winning the A-reserves fairest and best award, and Dumbleyung’s Pip Gooding was runner-up.

In the B-grade, Tina Briscoe of Te Taitonga claimed the fairest and best award and Olympians’ Chelsea Butterworth was runner-up.

Amy Williams from Kojonup won the C-grade fairest and best award, and Casey Thompson from Dumblyung was named runner-up.

The association has proudly unearthed young talent in years past, and this year saw the growth of Sofia Tunui.

Tunui has elevated her game throughout her season with Kojonup and was named the most improved junior in the senior competition.

The umpire of the year award was claimed by Hereina Tunui from Kojonup, while association committee member Bridgette O’Neil won the Gail Butterworth Trophy for volunteer of the year.

Alanah Mackie from Dumbleyung took home the senior regional development award.

The KNA also awarded life membership to Gail Butterworth after decades of hard work and devotion dedicated to the association.