Australian netball great Catherine Cox has been inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, recognised for her outstanding sporting career and contribution to netball.
The former Australian Diamond, who is one of the most decorated netballers of all time, represented the national team across a period of 16 years, with 108 caps between 1997 and 2013. She made her debut for Australia at age 21.
Cox played more than 250 games in the national league, playing for teams including the Sydney and New South Wales Swifts, Perth Orioles, West Coast Fever and Melbourne Vixens.
Speaking to Women’s Agenda, Cox said the news about her induction into the Hall of Fame was still sinking in.
“I still can’t get my head around it. It’s totally surreal,” Cox said.
“To be recognised among the best netballers, I’m so happy with that but to then be named among the absolute icons and heroes of Australian sport is absolutely mind-blowing and completely overwhelming.”
“To be alongside the best of Australian sport is such an honour.”
Cox said her younger self wouldn’t have believed she would be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“There’s no way my fifteen-year-old self would have thought it was possible – she would have thought that’s going to be a lot of work! But that’s what I’m grateful for, my netball career taught me how to work hard.”
During her netball career, Cox achieved all of the sport’s greatest accolades, including a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, and two World Cup championships.
For the Diamonds, she shot more than 200 goals, and was named captain of the side on seven occasions. She is considered among Australian netball’s greatest players alongside Liz Ellis, Sharelle McMahon, Vicki Wilson and Anne Sargeant.
In 2004 and 2005, she was named the Australian International Player of the Year. She retired from netball in 2014, and continues her involvement as one of the sport’s most loved commentators.
Cox was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2022.