Netball WA would like to congratulate Elsma Merillo who received a Medal of the Order of Australia as part of the 2023 Australia Day Honours for her service to netball which began as a player when she made her state team debut in 1965.
Elsma is one of four WA developed players to have earnt the honour of representing Australia at two of the 10 World Championships held during the 20th century and is one of a small group who have both captained and coached WA’s elite Netball Team.
She made her international debut at the second World Tournament in Perth in 1967 and was also selected for the Third World Championships in 1971 in Jamaica. Elsma remains the youngest player to debut for Australia at a World Tournament. Playing in both the Goal Attack and Goal Shooter positions in 1971, Elsma played a significant role in Australia regaining the World Championship Title.
After her playing career finished, she moved into coaching and administration including being the inaugural administrator of the State League, coaching WA Teams in a range of National Competitions and also led Coastal Pumas to a State League Premiership in 1995.
Elsma was awarded Netball WA Life Membership in 2016, is a member of the Netball Australia Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Netball WA Court of Champions.
