Netball is enjoying a golden age in Western Australia, with ground-breaking success in the Suncorp Super Netball League, as well as record participation numbers at a local level.
In 2022, West Coast Fever won the Club’s maiden premiership off the back of an impressive few years in the league, having made the finals in three of their previous five seasons.
This remarkable period for Netball could only be made possible by the framework built by the legacy of the Perth Orioles.
The Orioles were founded in 1997 as one of the inaugural eight teams of the newly created National Netball League, each named individually after a bird.
The inaugural squad was led by captain Waveney Senior and vice-captain, Leith Fradd. The team then comprised of Linda Allia, Kylie Chamberlain, Kerri Duff, Kristen Garnaut, Terri Hadley, Sally Ironmonger, Chelsey Mardon, Peppa Nielsen, Annette Paulsen, Joely Riding, Diane Ring, Julianne Sloan, Kathleen Smart, Nicole Smith and Michelle Worland.
The first few years proved a challenging era for Netball in the West. A lack of funding saw players juggle full-time jobs alongside their playing commitments, combined with long road trips between games and limited resources on and off court.
The Club’s existence was an achievement, but the lack of necessary player support was evident in the Orioles’ performance on the court. The team only boasted a 21 per cent overall win rate, with their best season finish being sixth.
Despite the lack of on-court success, the Orioles represented Western Australia proudly over their existence and built the essential foundations to grow netball in the State.
The Orioles notably gave West Coast Fever legend Caitlin Bassett her first taste of professional Netball. The team provided a stage for Bassett to demonstrate her ability and ultimately contributed to her impressive 100 caps for the Origin Australia Diamonds.
Supporting the careers of Diamonds players Jessica Shynn and Sally Ironmonger, the Orioles helped grow Western Australia’s representation at the international level.
Most importantly, it gave the Fever stars of today who were born and raised in WA during the 1990s something to dream and aim for.
The journey of the Orioles to the now beloved West Coast Fever resembles that of Netball in WA, from humble beginnings to a dominant organisation with great success in the state.
As we celebrate 100 years of Netball WA, we honour the legacy of the Perth Orioles and the ongoing journey of the West Coast Fever as they stand as beacons of inspiration, not only to aspiring athletes but to the entire Netball community in Western Australia and beyond.
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