NWSHA News – January 2026

We wish all our members, past present and future, a Happy New Year and all the best for

the year ahead!

Welcome to our first newsletter of the year. It’s been a busy few weeks at NWSHA HQ!

Northern Districts

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the proposed Association move by

Northern Districts to NSBHA. We know the majority will share our disappointment that this move

has now gone ahead. In the interests of transparency, the NWSHA submission to HNSW

can be viewed here and the subsequent response from HNSW here. 

We understand that there is much confusion as to what this will mean for the coming

Representative season. Having consulted with a number of our Club Presidents, and other

key stakeholders, the Executive Committee have agreed that the Representative and

Selection Policy will be updated for the 2026 season. More information will provided on this,

but, for the purpose of clarity, the expectation should be that Northern District members will

not be able to claim Origin with NWSHA meaning they will be ineligible to trial for a place in

a NWHSA representative team, unless they have been granted an exemption by NWSHA.

We understand that many Northern District members are not supportive of the move to NSB

and will be keen to remain under the NWSHA umbrella. We will be opening EOIs for the

season in the coming days, along with details of how to apply for an exemption.

NWSHA Executive Committee

December saw us holding our 2025 AGM. Thank you to everyone who attended. We said a

fond farewell to Carolyn Parry as Treasurer and welcomed Sally Schmidt on to the

Executive. Carolyn remains in the role of Public Officer of the Association and will continue

in her role on the Grass Competition Sub-Committee. We thank Carolyn for her continued

commitment to the Association and welcome her support.

Sharon Coutts resigned as President of the Association on 15 January, with immediate

effect. Vic Taylor has also stated her intent to step down from the Executive and move into a

volunteer Admin Support role. Following the news of Sharon’s resignation, Vic has

committed to remain on the Executive as an interim solution. We extend our sincere

appreciation to Sharon for her leadership and wish her all the best.

NWSHA Sub Committees

We are grateful to everyone who has volunteered for the coming season and are pleased to

welcome our new Sub-Committee members. As always, many hands make light work and

we have several Vacant Roles across the sub-committees, so please get in touch if you think

you have capacity to assist the Association.

Finance Sub-Committee: Sally Schmidt (Chair), Penny Bean (Masters), Vic Taylor, Andrew Rivers

Administration Sub-Committee: Vic Taylor, Vacant Role(s)

Competitions Sub-Committees – Grass Competition: Liam Dixon, Carolyn Parry, Penny Bean,

Competitions Sub-Committees – Sydney North Women’s: Liam Dixon, Paul Economides,

Belinda Leigh-Barnes, Narelle Barden, Kerry Attard, Wendela Flokstra-Mesker, Kristina

Turner

Representative Sub-Committee: Sally Schmidt (Chair and Rep Convenor), Liam Dixon, David Goosakoff, Abhishek Pradhan, Vacant Role(s)

Umpire Development Sub-Committee: Abhishek Pradhan, Vacant Role(s)

Player Development Sub-Committee: Liam Dixon, Vacant Role(s)

Women’s Masters Sub-Committee: Julie Barker (Chair), Lyndall Musico (Equipment and

Uniforms), Penny Bean (Treasurer), Anne Babka, David Goosakoff, Janelle Bowerman

Men's Masters Sub-Committee: Greg Kay

Uniform and Equipment Officer(s): Lyndall Musico (Masters), Executive Committee (Juniors

and Opens)

Social Media and Communications Officer: Bernadette Robson 

Programs and Grants Officer: Vacant Role(s)

2026 Rep Season - Field

The Rep season is fast approaching and we are looking forward to another successful

season for NWSHA. We are excited to have Sal Schmidt stepping in to the role of Rep

Convenor and Chair of the Representative Sub-Committee for the coming season.

We are asking for Expressions of Interest from those keen to volunteer as a Coach,

Manager, Selector, or Umpire. Please email info@nwsha.com.au

Indoor Nationals

Congratulations to all our NWSHA athletes and coaches that have completed their National

Campaigns. For all those NWSHA members who have their campaigns coming up, we wish

you all the best! We are proud of all that you have achieved!

Masters

Good luck to our 4 teams competing at Masters Indoor State Champs at the end of January!

We look forwards to hearing of your successes.