Gosford Netball Association
60 Years of Netball on the Central Coast
History of Gosford Netball
In 1961 the Gosford Women’s Basketball Association (as it was known then) was formed with a total membership of 203 players. 13 Senior and 12 Junior teams.
Due to the untiring efforts of Betty Berg (life member) the association quickly gained a stronghold on the Centre with over 800 members by 1964. Betty was the inaugural president on Gosford Netball Association and held that position for a period of 14 years.
Gosford Netball Association went from being run from the back of Betty’s stationwagon in 1961 to a tin shed which acted as a change room and then in 1969 having its own Clubhouse at Adcock Park at West Gosford. The building was officially opened on the 8th June 1969 by the late Anne Clark the then President of the NSW Association. The new building contained a canteen, games control room, recreation rooms, control centre, first aids rooms and kitchen facilities.
Gosford’s competition originally was all on grass courts back in 1961 but has now progressed to having 27 hardcourts in 2005.
Highlights from our History
June 1978 –
NSW STATE WOMENS NETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLDEN JUBILEE
Gosford will be long remembered by more than 1000 players who contested the 1979 NSW State Women’s netball championships, over 3 days at Adcock Park, West Gosford. The players, umpires and officials regarded the championships as a huge success and one of the best series ever staged. Association Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Jan Turner said the co-operation by the Gosford Shire Council, particularly the parks and garden division, in maintaining the courts and grounds and assisting in the organisation was greatly appreciated by the GNA executive.
Over the 3 days of the championships, 2272 games were played controlled by 220 umpires under the guidance of the NSW tournament co-ordinator, Judy Dunbar. Mrs. Margaret Taunton, President of the Gosford Netball Association extended her appreciation to members of the executive and to all Gosford District Netball Clubs, who worked untiringly over the 3 days. Mr. Ken Booth, the Minister for Sport and Recreation and for Tourism officially opened the golden jubilee state championships. The was a formation of a golden ”50” by 300 junior members of the Gosford association.
June 1979 –
MBE – HONOURS LIST
Mrs. Betty Berg was award an MBE for her contribution to women’s basketball. Mrs. Berg was instrumental in the formation of the Gosford Netball Association and ensuring that it became one of the strongest women’s sporting bodies on the Central Coast. Mrs. Berg was President of the GNA for many years.
October 1980 –
INTERDISTRICT COMPETITION
An “A” grade inter district competition was launched in October 1980 to allow top teams from Gosford and Wyoming to combine and improve the already high standard of netball in the 2 regions. The inaugural Inter-District Gosford/Wyong Competition was won by the “Rebels” from Gosford.