WINNING individual awards isn’t why Ouyen United’s Kyra Nathan plays netball.
Her number one priority is and always will be team success, but on Monday night she was recognised for her outstanding individual performance in 2019 when she was named the Jackie Horkings medallist for the best and fairest player in A grade netball.
It was an unexpected honour for the 37-year-old Kangas co-coach and one she attributes to the team’s success.
“I don’t go out to win individual awards and certainly don’t expect to win them,” Nathan said.
“When you win awards like this it is a testament to your team and the people around you.
“I am certainly surprised and expected a few more of our girls would have gone better than me because I believe they are the players who are the catalyst to our success.”
Nathan is one of the most credentialed players running around in SFNL netball having played State League in both Melbourne and Adelaide for over 10 years.
She is hoping some of that experience can help her and the rest of her side create history by becoming the first Ouyen United team to win an A grade premiership when they take on Wentworth in Saturday’s grand final at City Oval.
“Just so proud of everyone and just so proud of how hard all the girls have worked,” said Nathan.
“I just think the supporter base we have and the encouragement they provide just brings you along and gives you such a lift.
“When we beat South (Mildura) we had an eighth player and that was our crowd and not many other clubs can say they have that.
“The fact we have got our A and B (grades) in – we are creating history and it is pretty special.”
