The Sport Australia Hall of Fame is mourning the passing of our esteemed Member Deirdre Hyland AM. Deirdre passed away over the weekend aged 79. Deirdre is survived by her brother Robin, cousins Renne and Hans Ness and close friend Dot McHugh.

Deirdre was Inducted into The Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1989, for her contribution to Netball and is regarded as one of the sports most distinguished administrators.

Chairman John Bertrand AM said “the change Deirdre brought to the sport of Netball was groundbreaking and confirmed her passion for the game. Dedicating herself for the recognition of netball as an elite sport, her achievements at state and national levels were confirmed when she was not only Inducted into The Sport Australia of Fame, but also The Australian Netball Hall of Fame and The Queensland Hall of Fame”.

“To be recognised in three Halls of Fame around the country is a testimony to Deirdre’s unwavering hard work and desire to strive for the best” John continued. “She will leave behind her a legacy in netball and has paved the way for many administrators”.

The Board, Members & staff of The Sport Australia Hall of Fame extend our deepest sympathies to the Hyland family.

DEIRDRE HYLAND AM – GENERAL MEMBER (ADMINISTRATION – NETBALL)

03/06/1936 – 29/05/2016

Deirdre Hyland was Inducted into The Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1989 as a General Member for her contribution to the sport of netball. Deirdre served netball at state, national and international levels. During her terms of office, great changes in direction, public profile and credibility were achieved for the game and it’s players.

Deirdre was president of the Queensland Netball Association (QNA) from 1974 to 1980, the All Australia Netball Association (now Netball Australia) from 1978 to 1988, and the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) from 1987 to 1991.

She managed Australian netball teams on overseas tours in 1978, 1981, and 1982, and was an official delegate at the 6th and 7th world tournaments in 1983 and 1987 respectively. Deirdre was also a board member of the AIS from 1981 to 1983 and the Confederation of Australian Sport from 1987 to 1988. She was chair of the organising committee of the 8th World Netball Championships held in Sydney in 1991.

Deirdre was a lecturer in PE and a member of the Australian Council for Health PE and Recreation, CASCA and the Australian Society of Sport Administrators.

Deirdre was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her service to netball in 1990.

In 2008, Deirdre was an inaugural inductee into the Australian Netball Hall of Fame as a General Member and inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame in 2010.

Deirdre, after all of her achievements within the sport, went on to write the book Little Anne, a biography on the life of New South Wales Legend Anne Clarke BEM.