Australian netball player Georgie Horjus has been honored with the Liz Ellis Diamond, the sport's most prestigious individual award, following a standout 2026 season. The accolade recognizes Horjus as the Diamonds’ international player of the year, a distinction earned through her exceptional performances during the Constellation Cup and her contributions across the Super Netball season.
Horjus secured the award by surpassing contenders Sophie Garbin and Kate Moloney in a combined tally of votes from peers and coaches accumulated over 14 international Test matches in 2026. Notably, Horjus played every minute of each game in the Constellation Cup, demonstrating remarkable endurance and versatility by impacting play both in the midcourt and at goal attack. Despite Australia’s loss in the series to New Zealand’s Silver Ferns, Horjus’s consistent influence on the court highlighted her value to the national team.
Her recognition underscores a rebound from a comparatively limited role at the Commonwealth Games earlier in the year. The Liz Ellis Diamond affirms Horjus’s dominance in international competition and solidifies her position as a key figure heading into the upcoming World Cup campaign. This marks the fifth year the award has been presented, with Horjus joining previous winners including Liz Watson (who won twice), Courtney Bruce, Sophie Garbin, and Jamie-Lee Price.
In Super Netball, the Adelaide Thunderbirds featured prominently at the annual Netball Australia awards. South African import Elmere van der Berg earned the Super Netball player of the year title in her debut Australian season, receiving 58 votes. Her teammate Kate Heffernan placed third with 44 votes, trailing only league MVP Jamie-Lee Price, who tallied 53 votes. The Thunderbirds’ coach, Tania Obst, was also recognized as coach of the year following the team’s third premiership in four seasons.
Additional honors included selections to the Super Netball team of the year for Horjus, van der Berg, Heffernan, as well as Jamaicans Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson. Rookie of the year went to Fever’s Ruth Aryang, highlighting an emerging talent in the league.
Horjus’s year has been marked not only by individual success but also by leadership. She co-captained her club to the Super Netball premiership and contributed to Australia’s medal haul at the Commonwealth Games, reinforcing her status as a cornerstone of both club and national teams as the sport looks ahead to 2027 competitions.