Emerging star Amy Sligar and former GIANT Jamie-Lee Price have both been crowned as two of the country’s very best at the Australian Netball Awards in Melbourne on Friday night.
The duo were both rewarded for their stellar seasons in orange across the 2025 season at Friday’s event, with Sligar named in the Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year, while Price was named the illustrious Liz Ellis Diamond award for 2025.
A fan-favourite at the GIANTS, Sligar’s Team of the Year honour comes following a breakout season from the popular 23-year-old.
Named in wing defence in the Team of the Year, the huge honour caps off a whirlwind 2025 campaign for Sligar who has quickly emerged as a rising star of Australian netball.
The versatile midcourter took her games to new levels this season, finishing third in the league for intercepts and playing a crucial role in the GIANTS’ starting seven throughout the year.
Friday’s night maiden Team of the Year honour comes after Sligar was also voted as the GIANTS Members’ Player of the Year by the Orange Army at this year’s Gala Dinner.
Further highlighting her reputation as a young gun of Australian netball, last month Sligar took part in the Australian Diamonds camp as one of four ‘invitees’ in a sign of her potential as a national representative in the future.
“To be recognised among the best in the league is a fantastic achievement and so well deserved,” GIANTS Head Coach Nerida Stewart said following Sligar’s Team of the Year honour.
“We’ve always known how special Amy is, but this year she’s taken her game to another level.
“Her selection in both the Team of the Year and the recent Diamonds camp shows what a talent she is, and we can’t wait to see her reach even greater heights in orange next season.”
Meanwhile Price was also celebrated at the Australian Netball Awards with the Liz Ellis Diamond for 2025.
The 13th athlete in the sport’s history to receive the prestigious title, Price’s win came following sensational domestic and international seasons with both the GIANTS and the Origin Australian Diamonds.
The 29-year-old delivered relentless energy to the court every week during the Suncorp Super Netball home and away season while also starring for the Diamonds on the international stage.
Australian Netball Awards:
SSN Team of the Year:
Goal Shooter – Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard (West Coast Fever)
Goal Attack – Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens)
Wing Attack – Alice Teague-Neeld (West Coast Fever)
Centre – Paige Hadley (New South Wales Swifts)
Wing Defence – Amy Sligar (GIANTS Netball)
Goal Defence – Latanya Wilson (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Goal Keeper – Teigan O’Shannassy (New South Wales Swifts)
Attack Interchange – Grace Nweke (New South Wales Swifts)
Midcourt Interchange – Liz Watson (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
Defence Interchange – Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever)
SSN Rookie of the Year: Adelaide Thunderbirds’ eleventh player Sophie Casey.
Joyce Brown Coach of the Year: Simone McKinnis (Melbourne Vixens Head Coach)
Super Netball Reserves Player of the Year: Lucy Voyvodic from the Thunderbirds Futures and Frederika Schneideman from the QBE Swifts Academy (joint winners)
The Dr Eve Fels OAM First Nations Black Swan Award: Waanyi midcourter Tia Molo.
Australian Netball Players’ Association Heart of the Game Award: Tayla Williams
Lorna McConchie Umpire of the Year: Tara Warner
Shauna Winchester was recognised for receiving her All-Australian Umpire Badge, the highest honour within the Netball Australia Umpire Pathway.
Australian World Youth Cup Player of the Tournament: Tabitha Packer
Diamonds Alice Teague-Neeld (Diamond #194), Hannah Mundy (Diamond #195), Lucy
Austin (Diamond #196) and Ash Ervin (Diamond #197) were congratulated for the
international debuts.
Sharon Burton (Diamond #61), Nicole Cusack (Diamond #102 and Noleen Dix (Diamond
#76) were formally recognised after their induction into the Netball Australia Hall of Fame
earlier this month.
Norma Plummer AM (Diamond #66) was also celebrated for becoming a Legend in the
Hall of Fame 50 years on from the 1975 Netball World Cup in recognition of her significant
contribution to Australian netball.
