All hail Hallinan
Renae Hallinan’s stellar year was recognised at the Australian netball awards on Sunday, with the wing defence winning the coveted Liz Ellis Diamond.
The Diamond award, named after Australia’s most capped player Ellis, recognises the country’s best performer in both the international arena and trans-Tasman championship each year.
Players, selectors and media vote on the award, with Hallinan topping the poll after playing in all 15 games of the Adelaide Thunderbirds’ premiership season.
The 27-year-old also featured in ten international Tests, including every quarter of the Diamonds’ 4-1 Constellation Cup series win over New Zealand.
“I’m overwhelmed, thrilled and very proud when you consider the previous players that have won this award,” said Hallinan, who was also named Australia’s International Player of the Year at the Gold Coast ceremony.
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Hallinan won the 2009 International Player of the Year award in her debut year, only to miss out on 2011 world championship selection.
“If twelve months ago when I missed out on Australia selection you said to me that I would be where I am now, I would have laughed,” she said.
“An award like this is not what I play for but it’s really lovely that my peers have voted for me.”
Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander hailed Hallinan’s resurgence.
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“Those couple of years out of the Australia team really hurt but her resilience to address the areas that she needed to and get herself back in to the team, that’s an amazing story,” Alexander said.
AUSTRALIAN NETBALL AWARD WINNERS
*Liz Ellis Diamond – Renae Hallinan
*International Player of the Year – Renae Hallinan
*Australian ANZ Championship Player of the Year – Erin Bell
*New Idea Australia’s Favourite Diamond – Laura Geitz
*Australian Sports Commission Coach of the Year – Jane Woodlands-Thompson
*Umpire of the Year – Sharon Kelly
*Australian 21/U Player of the Year – Paige Hadley
