Georgie Salter is undoubtably a household name across New Zealand, and particularly in our Otago region, in family homes, flats and boarding hostels. Her drive for excellence, dedication and her magnetic character resulted in Georgie having a huge reach across our community.

Georgie was known for the influence she has had in coaching, but also achieving highly as a player in her early netball days.

In her early days, Georgie forged along the player pathway, in the Otago teams across years of 1969 – 1978. In 1974 she was recognised for her mid-court abilities, being selected in the Silver Ferns in 1974 for two seasons.

In the area of coaching, Georgie coached Otago teams for a decade – an incredible feat. At the helm she created an era of great achievement and success for Netball in Otago.

The pinnacle of this era was in 1998, where she led the Otago Rebels to victory in the inaugural final of the National Bank Cup, winning 13 games on the trot.

Her contribution was attributed by many to creating this strength in Otago Netball, it being “in no small way a reflection of her personal input to coaching, management & interpersonal skills”.

She couldn’t resist coming back to coach the Otago NPC team in 2009 after a stint coaching the Auckland Diamonds in 2001 and 2002, and likewise later on in 2017 and 2018 with the Netball South Beko National League Team.

Georgie’s talent as a coach was recognised early with her appointment in roles of coach and co-coach of the NZ Under 21 team in the early 90’s, a major highlight being the World Youth Cup Title in 1992 in Fiji. Georgie was also appointed as the Milo Series Coach, 1991-1994, and head coach of the NZ U21 in 1999 and 2000.

Georgie had such a passion for seeing all her players be the best they could be. Alike her trainings, she was meticulous. She followed their progress, even recording her players progress up the ranks in a table. In the 1990-1997 window of coaching within the Otago sides, 24 of the players Georgie coached achieved national selection for academy squads, young internationals, U21 team, NZ Development or the Silver Ferns. Of note are Lesley Rumball (nee Nicol), Jo Morrison (nee Steed), Anna Stanley (nee Rowberry) and Belinda Colling.

Not only was Georgie passionate about coaching and players, she was about umpires too… always provoking thought to assist umpires in their development, always thanking, and going above and beyond with praise (and on some occasions, gifting bars of chocolate to special umpires). Georgie both knowingly and unknowingly was an inspiration and mentor to many umpires from grassroot to international.

Georgie was a big picture person and esteemed references regarded her as being “ahead of her time” due to her recognition of the importance of a framework of sports science, medicine and coaching. The instigation of which enabled the Otago team from the early 90’s could be the best it could.

At a local level, Georgie was involved in many facets of netball in both Oamaru and Dunedin.

In Oamaru she not only coached at primary, secondary and club level, but conditioned players, developed young umpires and led several other initiatives… including establishing the first development sessions for Talent Identified South Island Secondary School players (which were run in the St Kevin’s gymnasium)!

In the Dunedin community, Georgie was the head figure of the Southern Club since the start of the millennium. Georgie was one of the reasons why Southern had a stronghold on the Dunedin Netball Premier A Competition from 2012 until 2017 (six years). Her heading of the A team attracted top talent into the club.

From this club, alike the Otago team, Georgie helped players grow to be something special. Several of these players have gone on to attain Silver Fern contracts, Gina Crampton, Te Paea Selby-Rickett and Storm Purvis.

Georgie was perceived by one Sport Management doctor as having “stamped herself as a respected student of the game with excellent leadership skills and a fine perception for tactics and  game analysis”.

She was just that, she gave such energy and pursuit to achieving to as high a level as she could, and through her preparation and development, created the conditions for her players to do so too.

Even more inspiring, Georgie was involved in many other sports locally in Oamaru, was a driver of opportunities for Maori kids in sport, and at a National level contributed at coach development courses and as a sports consultant for national sports commissions.

Georgie was awarded numerous awards for her coaching achievements and contribution over the years. A few of these include, Life Membership with Dunedin Netball, Netball Otago (and Netball South), and Service Awards with Netball New Zealand and South Island Secondary Schools Netball Association.

Georgie had an enormous heart, with wit and enthusiasm that were second to none.

The legacy Georgie has left particularly at an Otago and local area level is incredible, she will undoubtably live on in our hearts and inspire us for the rest of our lives.

Article added: Tuesday 04 December 2018