Albany netball icon Diane Martin (nee Jackson) inducted into Netball WA’s illustrious Court of Champions

Albany netball legend Diane Martin (nee Jackson) received further recognition for her stellar legacy on the court at the recent Jill McIntosh Medal presentation in Perth.

Martin died in September 2013 but is known as one of the greatest netball players from Albany, having represented Australia at the highest level.

She played one Test for the Australian Diamonds on July 10, 1982 and was a famous name in netball in WA.

In 2016 Martin was recognised with a special Australian Netball Diamond Player Pendant that was accepted by her family.

On August 11 this year at the Perth Convention Centre, six athletes were inducted in the Netball WA Court of Champions.

Martin was one of those who received the accolade alongside Aileen Travers, Ingrid Huisken, Jessica Shynn, Susan Fuhrmann and Kate Beveridge.

Netball WA’s history and heritage working group is recognising senior State players with their own number and Martin has been listed as No. 126 from 1979.

This comes as her family mark 10 years since losing the talented sportswoman.

Daughter Kelly Martin attended the awards ceremony to accept the Court of Champions honour.

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 was labelled a rugged, tenacious defender with great athleticism and she was part of the inaugural intake into the Australian Institute of Sport in 1981.

On her return to WA, Martin played for her original club Royals Saints where she contributed as a coach and player at many levels.

The Albany Netball Association has named the A1 premiership trophy in Martin’s honour.

That trophy will be up for grabs on Saturday in the grand final between Bullets and Royals Saints.