Pendant honours Diamond netballer

Arguably Albany’s greatest netballer Dianne Martin (nee Jackson) was honoured for representing Australia at the highest level when her family received the special Australian Netball Diamond Player Pendant in Perth earlier this month.

Martin played one Test for the Australian Diamonds on July 10, 1982 and was a famous name in netball in WA before she passed away in September 2013.

She was the 83rd player to play for the Diamonds, with that recognition coming as part of Netball Australia’s historical update of its player archives.

Her husband Nick Martin and daughter Tasha Burnside made the trip to Perth to receive the pendant from current national coach Lisa Alexander at a function during the finals day of the under-17 and under-19 national netball championships.

Martin’s award was one of four eras of Australian netball acknowledged at the ceremony on April 16, which included current national players Ashleigh Brazill and April Brandley (nee Letton).

In her outstanding netball career, Martin won two consecutive R&I medals as the fairest and best player for the WA open team at the national championships, ahead of players such as Jill McIntosh, and was a highly decorated State player.

She also represented the State in athletics and basketball.

Her two sisters, Christine Tozer and Jenny Jackson,were also talented netball players.

Tozer said the family was extremely proud to accept the pendant on her behalf.

“Tash and Nick were presented with the pendant,” Tozer said.

“It is lovely recognition for her achievements.”