Celebrating Women at the Nest
Each year, the Woodend Hesket Football Netball Club gathers to celebrate the women and girls who shape the heart of our community. Since their introduction in 2022, the Celebrating Women at the Nest awards have become a cherished tradition, recognising not only athletic excellence, but the character, leadership, and spirit that women bring to every corner of our club.
This year’s event was no exception. It was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come, how bright our future is, and how deeply women are woven into the fabric of the Nest.
The first award of the afternoon was the Junior Girls Football Player Award 2026, known proudly as the June Gladman Medal. This award supports the development of junior girls in football and encourages their pathway into the senior club. With the junior girls fielding a team this year, hopes are high that a senior women’s team will soon return to the field.
The criteria for this medal are steep: respect, teamwork, a hunger to learn, unwavering effort, and the qualities of a future leader. This year’s recipient embodies all of that, and more.
Congratulations to the 2026 June Gladman Medallist: Chloe Watt
At just 12 years old, Chloe has already carved out a football journey that many senior players would admire. Growing up alongside three talented older brothers, she didn’t just keep up, she pushed harder, ran faster, and set her own standard.
Since joining Woodend in 2022, Chloe has played an extraordinary 84 games, and in 41 of those, she has been named among the best on the ground. That level of consistency is no accident. It’s the result of grit, skill, and a courage well beyond her years.
Her accolades already include multiple Best & Fairest awards and two interleague selections. But what truly defines Chloe is how she responds to adversity. Three grand final appearances have ended in heartbreak, yet each time she has returned stronger, hungrier, and more determined.
Chloe leads with humility, lifts her teammates, and plays with the spirit this medal represents. We cannot wait to see her run out in a senior jumper one day.
Next, attention turned to our junior netball program with the presentation of the Junior Club Netball Player 2026 – the Kellie Duff Medal. This award recognises a player who demonstrates respect, leadership, commitment, and a passion for growth, qualities that form the backbone of our future senior netball program.
Congratulations to the 2026 Kellie Duff Medallist: Isla Woodhouse
Isla joined Woodend Juniors in 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience from Woodend District and various representative teams. From day one, she was a standout.
Coaches describe Isla as a dream player, versatile, driven, and endlessly curious. She asks questions, tries new strategies, and pushes herself to improve every single week.
Her leadership shone brightly when she captained the Under 15 Riddell District Football Netball League interleague team, guiding a group of players from across the region with maturity and grace.
But Isla’s impact extends far beyond the court. She volunteers as a coach in the Net Set Go program, recently completed her umpiring accreditation, and is one of the club’s most reliable canteen helpers. She’s also a regular on the sidelines, cheering on our senior teams with pride.
Isla is everything this medal stands for, talented, generous, and deeply committed to the Nest.
While no senior netballers reached the 100‑game milestone this year, several are on track to achieve it later in the season. We look forward to celebrating those achievements at next year’s event.
A special reflection was shared on the long‑term impact of these awards. The 2022 Kellie Duff Medallist, Hannah Dwyer, now serves as co‑president of the senior club—proof of how these honours inspire leadership and shape the future of the Nest.
The final award of the afternoon, the one that captures the essence of why we gather, was the Club Woman of the Nest Award, known as the Julie Gove Medal. This award honours a woman who has made a significant voluntary contribution to the club over more than two years, someone who works tirelessly behind the scenes and champions the involvement of women and girls.
Congratulations to the 2026 Julie Gove Medallist: Jane Crozier
Jane’s story is nothing short of legendary.
Her journey with the club began 22 years ago, stepping in as a trainer simply because she was the only parent with first aid training. But once Jane commits, she commits fully.
Her roles over the years read like a full staffing roster:
Trainer
Team Manager
Trainer and manager of two teams
Committee member
Match Day Secretariat
Property Manager
When Jane eventually stepped back from her official duties, it took four volunteers to replace everything she had been doing on her own.
Even now, with no children currently playing, she remains one of the club’s most dedicated contributors. Whether she’s firing up the coffee machine, preparing lolly bags with mathematical precision, or keeping the President’s Lunch running like clockwork, Jane is always there, quietly, reliably, wholeheartedly.
Her children describe her as selfless, supportive, and endlessly giving. The club describes her as irreplaceable.
Jane is the definition of the Julie Gove Medal.
A Celebration of Community
As the awards concluded for 2026, the room was filled with pride, gratitude, and admiration. These women and girls, Chloe, Isla, Jane, and all those who came before them, represent the strength, resilience, and spirit that make the Woodend-Hesket Football Netball Club so special.
Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you to every volunteer, parent, coach, and supporter who continues to build the Nest.
