Netball WA would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to Dianne McDonald, who passed away from cancer on Sunday.
Dianne McDonald (nee Sidebottom) had been involved in netball for over 40 years and was the inaugural coach of the Perth Orioles team in 1997 and 1998 in the National League, then known as the Commonwealth Bank Trophy.
As a player, Dianne was a defender, taking up positions as goal defence and wing defence. In 1973 Dianne was selected in the State Open team, whilst still eligible for the 21U Team, which she played in the following year. In 1975 Dianne was again selected in the State Open team, she then took a break to marry and start a family.
In 1982 Dianne returned to Club netball and showed no sign of having been out of the game for six years. She represented WA and was selected in the Australian Team for the 6th World Championship in Singapore, in which the team won the Championship title. Dianne became the 85th player selected for Australia, where she played seven matches for her country including the Tri-Test Series in 1985 on home soil.
Dianne then transitioned into coaching, her first role was with Rangers Netball Club in the WA State League in 1989, which she held for five years. She was also coach of the 21U Team in 1994-1996, which led her to being selected as the inaugural Coach of the Perth Orioles in 1997 and 1998 in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy (national competition).
Dianne then headed to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) where she undertook a Sports Coaching Diploma with the AIS Netball Program and thereafter accepted the head coaching role with the Hong Kong National Team, where they competed in the 10th World Championships in New Zealand in 1999.
Dianne and her sister Cheryl have achieved something quite rare in this sport, having both represented Australia at the Netball World Championship level. Both sisters have between them participated in either a playing or coaching role at four World Championship events.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Dianne’s family and friends.
