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Bette Allison legacy helps students achieve their goals

Monday, 13 November 2017

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Bette Allison is a name synonymous with women’s sport and education, particularly netball, throughout the world. During her time at ECU Bette developed advancement in a field traditionally denied to women. She was a devoted educator, and was adored by both staff and students alike. Likewise, Bette generously donated her time and expertise to encourage and inspire generations of netball players and coaches. The netball community was a much loved family to her.

Bette’s service to the game has been acknowledged through receiving a British Empire Medal (1977), the May Campbell Award (1989) and Australian Sports Medal (2002), as well as Life Membership of Netball WA, School Sport WA, Perth Netball Association and the Royals Netball Club.

Pioneering women’s sport was truly one of Bette’s passions. The opportunity to further the development of aspiring students is a wonderful example of her ongoing pursuit of excellence. Her contribution has shaped women’s sports both in Western Australia and Singapore and her ongoing legacy will be felt forever.

The ECU Bette Allison Scholarship continues Bette’s passion of excellence in women’s sports.  It provides female students with financial support during their studies in the area of Exercise and Sports Science, with payments of $1,800 per semester to a total of $3,600.

This year’s recipient, India Joyce, is the third beneficiary of this prestigious scholarship. As a first year student with a dedication to women’s soccer, the funds will assist her in gaining the qualifications required to professionally coach the sport in paid positions. She is looking forward to inspiring and mentoring others to achieve their goals.

“This scholarship will allow me to progress in my career as a professional football coach as I will be able to obtain my C Class Coaching license. This will let me get paid employment as a football coach. I then will be able to focus on my studies and football coaching more. In the long term I would like to be coaching at a high level or be involved in professional football teams in other areas. My focus is on female development in football and encouraging young girls to take up football as a passion and continue in the sport. I hope to become a role model for girls in the football community. This scholarship will allow me to get more connections and make this goal a reality” said India.

The award was presented this year by Annette Raynor, Associate Professor in Exercise and Sport Science at ECU. Ms Raynor was a student, colleague, and close friend of Bette. She joined the Royals Netball Club in 1980 under the stewardship of Bette, and had a long history with the club as a player and coach. Like Bette she also coached netball in Singapore. Her incredibly heartfelt memoir painted a thorough picture of Bette as the strong, funny, and inspiring woman that Annette knew so well.

If you too would like to financially support students to pursue their goals either now or through a gift in your will, please contact Robyn Barblett at the Office of Development and Alumni Relations on (08) 6304 2761 or development@ecu.ecu.au

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