The Australian Women's Register

Summary

Dedicated to achieving recognition of netball as an elite sport, Deridre Hyland was central to the sport’s development at a state, national and international level. She played a key role in elevating the sport’s public profile, direction and credibility for over more than 30 years. She was president of the Queensland Netball Association (QNA) 1974-80, the All Australia Netball Association (now Netball Australia) 1978-88, and the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) 1987-91. She managed Australian teams on overseas tours in 1978, ’81, and ’82, and was an official delegate at the 6th and 7th world tournaments in 1983 and ’87. She also served on the board of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) 1981-83 and the Confederation of Australian Sport (CAS) 1987-88. She was chair of the organising committee of the 8th World Netball Championships in Sydney in 1991. She was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her service to netball in 1990.

Hyland was Inducted into The Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1989 as a General Member for her contribution to the sport of netball. In 2008, she was an inaugural inductee into the Australian Netball Hall of Fame as a General Member and inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame in 2010.

Hyland passed away on 29 May 2015. Netball Australia CEO Kate Palmer paid tribute to her leadership and her innovative nature that ultimately led to the transformation of a new era for Netball Australia.

‘Deirdre’s leadership was characterised by her ability to share her vision and create change,’ Palmer said. ‘An intelligent and thoughtful person, Deirdre’s legacy to netball and sport in Australia has been profound.’

Events

• 1990

  Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) ‘for service to netball’

• 2000

  Awarded an Australian Sports Medal