Rising netball star Keely Berry claims MVP of WA 17-and-under team after dominant nationals performance

Albany netball rising star Keely Berry has received more praise, this time named most valuable player of the WA 17-and-under team at the Jill McIntosh Medal presentations last week. The State awards were held in Perth on July 2 and Berry’s stellar performance for WA at the national championships in Sydney in April were highlighted. WA State team coach Guy Keane said the award was testament to Berry’s skill and continued hard work throughout the training period and national tournament. “Keely’s performances at National Netball Championships were simply outstanding and she was a deserved winner of our State team MVP award,” he said. “Keely has demonstrated strong values in her commitment and dedication to the State team program which saw her develop and transfer her skills and learnings onto the court at nationals. “As a first-year player and regional athlete, she embraced every challenge and led from the front, consistently winning the ball and making a significant impact in our defensive end.” Berry’s efforts at the national championships also earned her selection into the 17-and-under national pathways squad, where she will attend a national training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport later this month. Western Roar defender Caitlyn Brown became the first player to win three Jill McIntosh Medals, adding to her 2022 and 2024 medals by claiming the best and fairest honour for 2025. Western Roar’s Max Denholm won the men’s division best and fairest, while Southwest Jet shooter Lily Knight took the 21-and-under award. Brown was named in team of the year as goal defence alongside teammate Chelsea Bartlett in goal keeper, Jamaica Jauncey in goal shooter, Sloan Burton in goal attack, Numi Tupaea in wing attack, Clara Wigley as centre, and Gardenia Asiata as wing defence. Southside Demons head coach Josie Janz-Dawson received coach of the year while Jerome Gillbard and Sue Douglas were awarded the umpire of the year and official of the year respectively. Wigley shared the 19-and-under State team MVP award with Kate Cunningham.