Spotswood’s Kimberly Philipps made history on Friday night as she became the first two-time winner of the Western Netball League division 1 best and fairest medal.
At the league’s awards night, Philipps polled 26 votes to finish one ahead of Sunshine’s Kiralee Collings while Caroline Springs’ Olivia Craske finished in third spot to claim the netball honour.
Philipps had no inkling that she would win the medal for a second time.
She previously won the medal in 2023. It’s the fourth straight season a shooter has taken out the medal.
Philipps had just received her goal shooting award and was doing media for that when she stepped back in the room to hear her name called out as the best and fairest winner.
“I am a little bit shocked,” she said. “I knew I was invited and that I was at least in the top three.
“I didn’t expect it.”
It was a season of change for Spotswood, as they had a coaching change and a number of players went elsewhere.
Philipps stayed true to a club that means so much to her.
Spotswood still made finals and fell short to Sunshine Kangaroos in the semi final, by one goal. The Kangaroos made the grand final.
“We have some solid connections at the club,” she said. “Ella [Logan], who stayed with me was captain this year.
“It cemented that the two of us needed to be there. It’s her home club and her family club and I’m associated with her.”
Philipps said this year felt like a new beginning for the club this year with all the changes.
The shooter said it was massive to get this award.
“I’m honoured,” she said. “I used to always go up against Rebecca Hicks and now I’ve got Olivia Craske, I’ve got Remi Phillips, Payton Simeki, who is 17 years old and is probably going to be winning this award four or five times in the future.”
Philipps spends much of her weekends on a netball court.
As well as playing for Spotswood on Friday nights, she plays for Bacchus Marsh in the Ballarat Netball League on Saturdays.
Philipps was going from the league awards night to Bacchus Marsh’s awards night on Friday.
“It is hard,” she said. “I can’t walk by Sunday most of the time.
“It’s extremely exhausting but also very rewarding. The clubs that get around netball, it wasn’t like that 10 years ago.
“Having two clubs that care about netball, means so much.”
Elsewhere, Glen Orden’s Rebecca Hicks was named the netball coach of the year.
