Read below to find out about the history of the Gosford Netball Association.

	Click to Enlarge Betty Berg		Click to Enlarge Betty Berg

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 over 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.

Click to Enlarge GNA Building

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.

Period of Office	Title	Name
1961 - 1975	President	Betty Berg
1961 - ?	Secretary	Phyllis McDonald

Highlights from our History

June 1978 - NSW STATE WOMENS NETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLDEN JUBILEE

	Click to Enlarge Golden Jubilee

Gosford will 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

	Click to Enlarge The "Rebels"

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.

	Click to Enlarge Mrs D. Best and Carol Isaacs		Click to Enlarge

October 1980 - MAJOR INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

There were 3 major individual awards presented - C. Issacs won the Senior Umpires Award, Mrs. M. Taunton won the Senior Coach of the Year and Mrs. P. Allen won the Junior Coach of the Year.

May 1991 - INTRODUCTION OF ID (Intellectually Disabled) PLAYERS INTO THE INTERMEDIATE COMPETITION

GNA decided that integrating two new teams into its intermediate competition this year was a terrific idea.  The teams were made up of ID players who played against other intermediate teams, however, the rules were modified to prevent high scores by allowing the parents on the court to act in a blocking role.  If the ball went through the hoop the wrong way this was counted as a half point.    In 2005 the ID’s are still going strong in our intermediate competition.

June 1991 – DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM “NETTAS” INTRODUCED

GNA introduced a development program to foster interest in the game and continue the advancement of players.  The program was called “NETTAS” who are players seven years and over at beginner level who are taught the basics without the pressure of competition and play for the enjoyment of the sport.  The NETTAS program is still present today in our Association and heavily populated.  The children are still taught the fundamentals and then move into the Junior Competition level from about 10 years of age.

Snapshots of GNA - past and present

Click the link below to see our gallery of newspaper articles featuring GNA, from the past and present.

GNA in the Media