It is with great sadness that Netball WA acknowledges the passing of Life Member and former President Fay Bevan (nee Hardie).
Fay passed away on Monday and she had a long association with Netball WA, Netball Australia and Perth Netball Association.
She first represented Western Australia in 1951 playing the positions of Goal Attack, Goal Shooter and Wing Attack in a career which spanned six years. In 1954, 1955 and 1956, she was captain of the WA State Open Team.
As a 20-year-old in 1952, Fay was awarded an All-Australian Umpires Badge becoming the youngest person to achieve the honour.
Her umpire career continued to progress and in 1971 and 1975, she was an official Australian Umpire at the World Championships. She also umpired the Golden Jubilee Test Series between Australia and Trinidad & Tobago in 1978.
While Fay retired from umpiring prior to start of WA State Netball League, she became an advisor and mentor to many of WA’s high achieving umpires over many years.
In honour of her contribution to umpiring, Netball WA dedicated an Umpiring Scholarship in her name which continues to be awarded annually to provide opportunities for an umpire to undertake further development and training to progress to a higher national accreditation.
Off the court, Fay was President of Netball WA between 1976 and 1985 and she also held the positions of Secretary and Treasurer many times over several decades.
In recognition of her contribution to Netball in this State, she was awarded Life Membership of Netball WA in 1970 and received the Netball Australia Service Award in 1981.
Both of Fay’s daughters, Lori Patterson and Kelly Schroeter, also represented Western Australia in Netball while her husband Hugh (deceased) was a State Cricketer. As a young teenager, Fay was also a very accomplished State swimmer and tennis player.
The thoughts of the Netball WA Board, Staff and Members are with Fay's family at this difficult time.
