Website: www.mwna.com.au
Manly Warringah Netball Association (MWNA) is one of the largest and most vibrant netball communities in New South Wales. The Association had 17 affiliated local clubs and over 3000 players for its Winter 2025 Season.
With a rich history spanning over 60 years, MWNA is dedicated to fostering a love for netball at all levels—from grassroots to representative competitions.
The association proudly supports thousands of players, coaches, and umpires across all ages and skill levels, providing opportunities for development, teamwork, and community spirit. Whether you're new to the game or striving for elite performance, MWNA offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone to enjoy netball.
The Manly Warringah Netball Association (MWNA) is about celebrating Community in Community Sport.
With the Manly Warringah Sapphires playing in the 2025 Grand Final this Sunday, August 3, the MWNA Semi Finals and Grand Finals to be played Saturday August 16 and Saturday August 23 respectively, and a 60th Anniversary Dinner and Celebration on Friday August 8, and their Spring 2025 Competition registrations now open, a few details on the Association and the Sapphires pathway to this year's Grand Final runs this Issue.
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby said:
“As a local MP and mum of a dedicated young netballer, I’ve seen first-hand the energy, joy, and community spirit that Manly Warringah Netball Association brings to the Northern Beaches. From early morning warmups to nail-biting finals, MWNA is where confidence is built, friendships are made, and life lessons are learned.
For over 60 years, it’s been the beating heart of weekend sport, and I’m proud to support everything it stands for – especially as we cheer on the Sapphires in this Sunday’s Grand Final. Good luck, girls!"
Celebrating 60 Years Of Manly Warringah Netball: 1965 – 2025
In 2025, MWNA celebrates 60 years of Manly Warringah Netball Association on the peninsula.
The Manly Warringah Netball Association invites all past and present members to join us for a special evening of memories, laughter, and celebration.
Tables of ten or single tickets available. (This is an 18+ event.)
Purchase tickets via the QR code or the link here.
Let’s come together to honour six decades of netball, community, and connection.
Manly Warringah Netball Association: Some History
For the 25th Anniversary, Foundation Member, Mrs. Pam Hall documented her recollections on the history of Netball on the northern beaches.
Some excerpts from this work:
‘For many years, as early as the 1930’s, girls had been travelling to the City, Moore Park, University Park and Raleigh Park to play their games of Women’s Basketball under the control of the NSW Women’s Basket Ball Association.
By the 1950’s the number of players had greatly increased and a few of us from West Dee Why Club were becoming very unhappy with all the travelling we had to do to play the game we loved. On seeing the number of girls travelling, the idea began to form in the minds of a few to try and do something about starting a competition in our own Manly Warringah area.
During the off season of 1954-55, Iris Gracie (Kavanagh) and I sat down and composed a letter which was sent out to all the Surf Clubs, Ladies Swimming Clubs, a few factories, the large department stores in Manly, North Shore Gas Co., Electricity Co., the few Girls High Schools, in fact anywhere we thought there might be seven girls who would be interested in forming a team.
Players were told to turn up at Manly District Park on a given Saturday and there they were pushed and shoved around the courts(three of which had been allocated top us by the Council) until they began to learn the basics of the game. From there they were placed into teams and ‘graded’.
We approached the NSW Association and had meetings with delegates from the Executive Committee who did their best to talk us out of forming our own competition, pointing out how bad the competition would be, but they had not reckoned on our determination. Miss Anne Clark, President of NSW at that time, finally realised we were serious and approached a lady she knew from QLD who had retired from the Basket Ball administration up there and settled in Sydney.
This lady was Mrs. Marie Dundon (Devlin) who agreed to act as President of Manly Warringah for a year to guide us in the right direction. Mrs. Dundon remained at he helm for the 11 years we played as a basket ball group. Iris Gracie became the first Secretary and remained in that position for a few years.
Marie Dundon - appointed first President, can be seen packing up after the courts at Manly District Park (Nolans Reserve) flooded, a common occurrence in the early days with heavy rain.
Disregarding all advice and opposition we commenced our competition in 1955 with 11 teams. The standard of play was very mixed as a lot of players had never played before, but with the help and coaching of we more ‘experienced’ players, we ran our own comp. and enjoyed our games and exercise and what’s more, we had a lot of fun. It is interesting to note here that very few of the girls travelling to the city at the same time as the West Dee Why players joined us in the Manly Warringah competition at the start, although some did at a much later date.
There were lots of meetings and behind the scenes work to finally get us started and this is where our Thanks has to go to Marie Dundon.
The group continued to grow slowly but surely over the next few years and by 1959 we had approximately 17 clubs and about 30 teams. As our standard grew our top team had to once again travel to the City to play other top teams from other groups which had been formed in various areas. This was a club team, not a chosen representative team. Junior and Intermediate teams were added to our Comp. in 1962 and greatly increased our numbers.
As our top team still had to travel to the City, the move was made to have Manly Warringah become an affiliated Association of the NSW Association.
1966 was our first year as Manly Warringah Women’s Basketball Association with 93 Senior Teams and 205 Junior/Intermediate Teams, approximately 3000 members in all.
Mrs. Dundon stood down as President and in recognition of her works was elected our first Life Member.
Mrs. Joy Waite (Lister) was elected first President of MWWBBA and Mrs. Beryl McDougall (Foder) was first Secretary, Mrs. Iris Gracie acting as Assistant Secretary and Mrs. Laurel Heyson (Watts) was first Treasurer.
We had been allocated 13 courts at Jackson Street, Narrabeen, and grown to 36 courts at Manly District from the original 3. lights were installed at District Park and a night competition organised for 53 Teams. We played our Night Comp., at various locations; District Park, Narrabeen, Mona Vale, Narraweena and anywhere there was sufficient lighting.
Toward the end of the 1966 season our fist representative team was chosen and attended carnivals in their dark blue tunics and light blue blouses. Mrs. Jeanette Melville was appointed Coach/Manageress. I must point out here that a lot of discussions took place before our colours were finally chosen.
In 1967 we were provided extra courts at Curl Curl and officials controlled the game from an old tin workman’s shed with great gaps in the floor. If you dropped anything it went right through and we had to get the ‘littlies’ to retrieve it from under the shed.
At other venues we worked from tents which had to be erected and then taken down and returned to the storage shed by the Duty Officer.
Original clubs still affiliated today are Dee Why Beach, Collaroy Plateau, Seaview, Seaforth, Forest, Narrabeen, Queenscliff and Narraweena.
Some Foundation Clubs uniforms
Manly Warringah Netball Association (MWNA) 2025 Teams
There are currently 17 local clubs affiliated with Manly Warringah Netball Association. The 2025 Winter Season runs from April 5 until August 30.
- Allambie Netball Club
- Belrose Netball Club
- Collaroy Plateau Netball Club
- Comets Northern Beaches
- Cromer Netball Club
- Curl Curl Sports Netball Club
- Dee Why Beach Netball Club
- Forest Netball Club
- Mona Vale Commodores Netball Club
- Narrabeen Youth Club
- Narraweena Netball
- Newport Breakers
- Pittwater House
- Pittwater Peninsula Netball Club (Avalon)
- Queenscliff Netball Club
- Seaforth Netball Club
- Wakehurst Netball Club
2025 Winter Season
Semi Finals for Winter 2025 will be played Saturday August 16 at the John Fisher Netball Courts in Abbott Rd, North Curl Curl.
The Finals will be run Saturday August 23 at the John Fisher Netball Courts in Abbott Rd, North Curl Curl.
MWNA has 9 Perpetual Trophies, two in honour of a mother and her daughter. The oldest Perpetual Trophy was first awarded in 1979.
President Nicole Carter
Secretary Cathy Hurditch
Registrar Robyn Armsworth-Brack
Manly Warringah Netball Association MWNA Spring Competition
Get ready — our popular Spring Competition is just around the corner! Registrations opened 1st August
Grab your friends, build a team, and join us for a season full of good vibes, great games, and fun for all.
Great location
Great atmosphere
A few more insights in:
- Margaret Cliff OAM - 2023 Profile
- Manly Warringah Netball Association hosts All Ability Netball Championship - September 2018
- Premier League Inaugural Sapphires Shine at Launch of 2016 Season
- Manly Warringah Netball Association Celebrates 50th Year - 2015
- Narrabeen Youth Club - 2014 Profile
- Elly Willan - 2013 Profile
Manly Warringah Sapphires Opens Team Set for Grand Final at Ken Rosewall Arena
Website: www.mwsapphires.com.au
Report by Jess Dell, Manly Warringah Sapphires
The Manly Warringah Sapphires are charging into the 2025 Netball NSW Premier League Grand Final with momentum, belief, and the backing of a proud netball community behind them.
After a thrilling season filled with elite performances and down-to-the-wire finishes, the Sapphires will take on North Shore United in the Opens Grand Final, held at Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, on Sunday, 3 August at 5:00 PM.
The game marks the fourth clash between the two rivals this season, following a tightly contested race for top spot where North Shore United finished as minor premiers, just one point ahead of our Sapphires.
Premiers in both 2017 and 2023, and finalists in almost every season since the league’s inception, the Sapphires are one of Premier League’s most consistent forces.
Sapphires Head Coach Mel Clarke credits her team’s resilience as a driving force.
"I think that the belief has certainly been present within the team from the beginning, and the challenges we have overcome together throughout the season have contributed to the resilience and positive mindset that has driven our momentum leading into the finals series, giving us the confidence to play our best netball on Sunday."
As the pressure of Grand Final week intensifies, Clarke is keeping her team grounded.
"Leading into the grand final we have focused on the importance of trusting the work we have done throughout the season and the things we can control. It is about confidence in our preparation and in each other, so we can enjoy the occasion and perform at our best."
A last-round draw saw them finish the season just one point behind NSU, before an extra-time thriller in the preliminary final helped them avenge their Round 11 loss to Sutherland Stingrays and earn another shot at glory.
“Strong fan support from MWNA junior teams helps energise our senior squads, often travelling to home and away matches to cheer on their local stars within the MW Sapphires,” said Sapphires Captain Latika Tombs.
“Reaching the Grand Final represents the culmination of years’ worth of hard work within our local pathways and is deeply meaningful for our Manly Warringah community.”
The Sapphires' journey to the Grand Final began with a dominant pre-season HeartKids Cup win in March 2025, setting the tone for a campaign defined by consistency, composure, and collective strength. Despite a mid-season stumble, including a Round 11 loss to Sutherland Stingrays, our Sapphires regrouped and powered through an extra-time Preliminary Final thriller to eliminate the Stingrays and earn their shot at the 2025 title.
Manly Warringah Sapphires Opens HeartKids Cup 2025 Champions! L-R Sue Gill, Charlotte Craig, Eloise Egan, Mardi Aplin, Audrey Little, Eugenie Little, Kiara Bloor, Mel Clarke, Erin, Chelsea Mann, Latika Tombs (C), Allegra McDonald, Jemma Donoghue. Photo: Clusterpix.
Head-to-head with North Shore United in 2025:
- Round 2: NSU 55 def. MW Sapphires 39
- Round 11: MW Sapphires 48 def. NSU 46
- Finals Week 1: NSU 51 def. MW Sapphires 50
As the numbers suggest, the Opens Grand Final promises a blockbuster finale between two evenly matched and experienced sides.
“Leading into the Grand Final, we’ve focused on the importance of trusting the work we’ve done throughout the season and the things we can control,” Clarke added.
“It’s about confidence in our preparation and in each other, so we can enjoy the occasion and perform at our best.”
Milestone Year for Sapphire Stalwarts
The 2025 season carries special meaning for three of the Sapphires’ longest-serving contributors:
Latika Tombs (Captain)
Teigan O’Shannassy (NSW Swifts and Sapphires player)
Lisa Eady (Team Manager)
All three are celebrating 10 years with the franchise, with Tombs, Eady, and Clarke having been part of both championship-winning teams in 2017 and 2023. Now, the trio is chasing a third title together - a rare feat in Premier League history.
“This Grand Final is a reflection of the dedication and unity that runs through our entire Manly Warringah netball community,” said Tombs. “Our supporters, especially our MWNA juniors, give us incredible energy and pride every week.”
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Update: Manly Warringah Sapphires WIN!!!
Photo: Manly Warringah Sapphires
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From Sapphire to Star - Just one example: Jemma Donoghues' 2025 Signing with London Mavericks - One Example of what Working With the Sapphires Brings
In April the Manly Warringah Sapphires were bursting with pride as they announced the permanent replacement signing of homegrown talent, Jemma Donoghue, with the London Mavericks for the 2025 Netball Super League season.
The 2025 Netball Super League season was the twentieth season of the Netball Super League, the elite domestic netball competition in the United Kingdom. Running from 14 March 2025 – 6 July 2025, it is an elite netball league in the United Kingdom. The league is organised by England Netball but features teams based in England, Wales and previously Scotland.
Jemma Donoghue joined the Mavericks squad as a permanent replacement for Chelsea Blackman following her unfortunate Achilles rupture. In 2023 Jemma signed with Leeds Rhino Netball for the remainder of the English Netball Super League season.
Jemma was born in the UK and moved to Sydney as a youngster, where she played all her netball and wasn’t picked in her local rep teams until the U15 age group. Jemma Donoghue won an Under 20s Premier League title with North Shore United in 2018 before making the move to the Manly Warringah Sapphires. From there she shone and progressed quickly.
Jemma has been an integral part of the Sapphires family since her junior years, rising through the ranks with grace, determination, and a fierce competitive spirit. Her transition from local hero to international athlete is not only a reflection of her extraordinary talent, but also her relentless work ethic and humble heart — qualities that have made her a much-loved figure in the Sapphires community and beyond.
After an incredible stint as a Training Partner with the NSW Swifts, where she consistently impressed with her athleticism, leadership, and positive influence on and off the court, Jemma has now earned her place on the global stage. Her move to the London Mavericks as a permanent replacement player is a well-deserved opportunity that we know she will embrace wholeheartedly.
“Jemma has always been a shining example of what it means to be a Sapphire — resilient, grounded, and always striving for excellence,” MW Sapphires Opens Head Coach, Mel Clarke. “We’ve watched her grow into a phenomenal athlete and leader, and while we’ll miss her dearly, we are so excited to see her thrive in this next chapter of her journey.”
Jemma Donoghue’s exceptional one-on-one defensive pressure earned her selection as a Giants Netball Training Partner in 2021, 2022, and 2023. She made her debut in the Suncorp Super Netball league as a temporary replacement player, taking the court for the Giants in 2022 and the NSW Swifts in 2024.
As GIANT #25 and Swift #108, Jemma’s advancement to the top tier of netball reflects her dedication, skill, and influence in both teams’ defensive line-ups. It was no surprise to see the Mavericks move swiftly to secure her talents, full-time.
The move also represented an exciting new challenge for Jemma, who competed in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues. Despite the distance, her Sapphires family was cheering her on every step of the way.
''We couldn’t be prouder of Jemma and are confident she will continue to inspire young athletes both here in Australia, and overseas. She remains a beacon for aspiring netballers who dream big and work hard.''
"This opportunity for Jemma is incredibly exciting and such a well-deserved reward for all the hard work and dedication she’s given to the sport over the years. As both her teammate and best friend, I couldn’t be prouder." Latika Tombs, MW Sapphires Captain "Even though her decision to leave brought me to tears, my happiness for her far outweighs the sadness. I miss her both on and off the court… but thank goodness for FaceTime!"
Sapphires Besties; Jemma Donoghue & Latika Tombs, Vice Captain and Captain
Manly Warringah Sapphires Opens Team 2025
Players
Allegra McDonald; WD | GD | GK
Audrey Little; C | WA
Chelsea Mann; WD | C
Eloise Egan; GK | GD
Eugenie Little; WD | C
Jemma Donoghue - Vice Captain; GD | WD
Kiara Bloor; GA | WA
Latika Tombs - Captain; C | WA | WD
Matisse Letherbarrow; GS | GA
Millie Tonkin; GS | GA
Teigan O'Shannassy; GK | GD
Support Staff
Mel Clarke; Head Coach
Sue Gill; Assistant Coach
Lisa Eady; Manager
Manly Warringah Sapphires Legacy
The Sapphires were launched in 2016 and quickly established themselves as one of the most competitive teams in the league winning the championships in 2017 and more recently in 2023. Several past and present MW Sapphires athletes are now signed with teams in Australia’s top level elite netball competition; the Suncorp Super Netball League.
2016 Sapphires Opens Team at the launch. Photo: A J Guesdon/PON
The Open and U23 MW Sapphires squad is made up of around 30 local athletes who have decided to pursue netball at an elite level. These athletes dedicate an enormous amount of time as part of these teams, proudly representing Manly Warringah as part of the League.
In 2020, the Sapphires added an Academy to its Program, giving local 15 and 16 year old representative level players, as well as emerging local coaches, the chance to learn from this outstanding program. These young athletes and coaches are mentored by the MW Sapphires, providing further motivation, guidance, and a clear pathway into elite netball.
The MW Sapphires teams enjoy strong support from their dedicated fan base, including junior teams from the Manly Warringah Netball Association.
The Netball NSW Premier League program plays a crucial role in developing players, umpires, coaches, and technical officials, providing them with valuable experience at an elite level.
This program is also a vital pathway for the Manly Warringah Netball Association, one of the largest associations in NSW.
Grand Final Day Details:
📍 Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park
📅 Sunday, 3 August 2025
🕑 2:00 PM – 23U Grand Final: GWS Fury v Panthers
🕔 5:00 PM – Opens Grand Final: North Shore United v Manly Warringah Sapphires
🎟️ Tickets: $15 – Available now
Join the Blue Wave
Rep your colours, bring the noise and be part of the electric atmosphere as the Sapphires chase Grand Final glory. With belief, experience and heart on their side, Manly Warringah Sapphires are ready to shine on the Premier League’s biggest stage.
