MARCIA ELLA-DUNCAN AWARDED THE WARATAH

Marcia Ella-Duncan, the first indigenous Australian Aboriginal to represent the Australian Diamonds netball team, was presented with the prestigious The Waratah award at the 2022 rebel NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre tonight.

First presented in 2017, The Waratah acknowledges a career of extraordinary success and a commitment to sport that has extended beyond competition.  Recipients are considered a role model, a highly respected member of the NSW sporting community and a recognised ambassador for sport by the wider public. 

Rugby League great Laurie Daley was the inaugural recipient in 2017. Netball legend Liz Ellis and outstanding cricketer Glenn McGrath were recipients of The Waratah in 2018 and 2019.

Marcia, a Bidjigal-Yuin woman and sister of Australian Rugby Union Test players Mark, Glen, and Gary Ella, first represented NSW when aged 11 and was later selected in the NSW 16 Schoolgirls and then NSW U21 teams. 

In 1983, Marcia became the first indigenous Australian to take up a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport and was a regular member of the NSW team between 1984-87.

Marcia made her Australian Diamonds debut in 1986 against the New Zealand Silver Ferns in Christchurch and was a member of the silver medal winning Australian team at the 1987 Netball World Cup held in Glasgow. She represented the Australian Diamonds 18 times. 

In 1988, Marcia was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to netball and was inducted into the Australian Netball Hall of Fame in 2015.

After retiring from representative netball, Marcia has had a long history of involvement in Aboriginal affairs in areas such as criminal justice, community development and land management, with a particular passion for education and child well-being. 

She chaired the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council, the NSW Aboriginal Child Sexual Assault Taskforce, and has also been a member of the NSW Aboriginal Child Sexual Assault Ministerial Advisory Panel and the Northern Territory Emergency Response Review Board. She was elected as a Director on the Netball Australia Board in 2017.

Sports NSW Chairperson, Chris Hall, said Marcia was a leader and an outstanding role model for the NSW sports family.

“Marcia was a trailblazer during her netball career and continues to be an inspiring leader as she drives broader community and social outcomes. We honour and salute her with The Waratah,” said Mr Hall.

The Waratah is only awarded in years when it is considered there is an outstanding candidate.

Greg Campbell, PRISM Strategic Communications