Netball Super League best of the best

As excitement starts to mount for the new-look NSL 2025 – and the squads get announced – we take a look back to those who won the awards for last season’s performances.

It was, as you will remember, a fabulous season with stunning netball played throughout, making it hard to pick out seven players to represent an All Star VII but it had to be done and this is the result!

NSL 2024 ALL STAR VII

There were several other awards handed out for players, coaches and officials who excelled across the season.

Players’ Player of the Season

There was fierce competition for this accolade and after a standout season for Manchester Thunder, Lois Pearson deservedly received this award She played a pivotal role in Thunder topping the table at the end of the regular rounds and making it to the Grand Final.

Pinpoint accurate, Pearson established herself as a lynchpin in the northern side’s attacking line-up with incredible movement in the circle making her one of the most dangerous goal attacks out there.

Fans’ Player of the Season

In a campaign which saw her dominate the leaderboard with the most intercepts (50), gains (101) and deflections (183), Funmi Fadoju was a true star. She was consistently unstoppable, being named in the NSL Team of the Week an incredible 13 times out of a possible 19.

“It’s probably the best season I’ve had so far,” she said. “I’m really proud of this season but there’s still more to go and so much more to learn. Having Halimat behind my back, her help has been immense this season. She has communication, leadership skills and control at the back which allows me to fly out and go for the ball.”

Coach of the Season

Severn Stars Head Coach Jo Trip ended her time with the franchise on a high, guiding them to their first-ever top four finish and retaining her title as the Coach of the Year.

The New Zealander said: “Getting back into top four is something really special, it is a different breed of game and I have missed finals netball for a very long time!”

Umpire of the Season

In his 17th season of umpiring in the NSL, Gary Burgess achieved 250 NSL career games. He celebrated by securing the Umpire of the Season accolade for the 11th time since the award’s inception in 2008.

His advice to anyone starting out as an umpire? “Know the rules, but understand that you know the rule book is black and white but the umpiring is colourful and vibrant and you need to be empathetic.”

Young Player of the Season

Yet another London Pulse athlete was awarded Young Player of the Season, Izzi Phillips following in the footsteps of 2023 winner Berri Neil as well as Funmi Fadoju, who received the award in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022.

Starting her debut season at just 17 years old, Phillips’ rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Returning to play after recovering from a career-jeopardising broken leg, she completed an unbeaten season as captain of Pulse’s U19s before taking the leap into Pulse’s squad of 12.

Her impact from the bench in the first game of the season saw her gain her first start in the NSL in just round two and she regularly made the starting seven, including in the NSL 2024 semi-finals and third-place play off.

Umpire Assessors’ Award

In just her second season umpiring at the elite domestic level, Emma Parker won her first award in the NSL. After making her debut in 2023 and umpiring two fixtures, Emma umpired consistently well throughout the 2024 season, taking charge of eight matches and being reserve umpire on another eight occasions. The umpire assessors said: “Emma demonstrated outstanding commitment to the League and to her fellow umpires. She has been prepared to step up as reserve at very short notice on a number of occasions and umpired consistently well throughout the season.”

Gilbert Top Scorer

Mary Cholhok was once again outstanding in NSL 2024. Her shooting dominance resulted in a third NSL title and being named top scorer in the League for the fourth time since her debut in 2019! Finishing the regular round with 878 goals, Cholhok appeared in every game for Lightning this season. She added nearly 100 more goals to her season tally in the semi-finals and Grand Final with her 2024 campaign being the most fruitful with 975 goals.