King’s Birthday honours: Moya Dodd and Jill McIntosh recognised for contribution to sports

Moya Dodd and Jill McIntosh have poured their hearts and souls into their football and netball and made a huge impact to Australian sport along the way.

In a year that will celebrate the biggest women’s sporting events in history, it’s fitting trailblazers Moya Dodd and Jill McIntosh have been recognised for their efforts fostering the growth of their sports and athletes in the King’s birthday honours.

Dodd has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to football as a player and administrator at the national and international level, as a role model to women, and to the law, while former Diamonds coach McIntosh has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to netball, particularly as a coach at the national and international level.

Dodd’s achievements are not just limited to her time on the pitch as vice-captain of the Matildas, which included playing in the first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1988.

She has led the charge for several big changes in women’s football and sport in general through roles with Football Australia and FIFA.

“The most high-profile outcome of work I was involved in was reforming FIFA’s statutes, in the wake of the FIFAGate crisis, to include gender equality and to prioritise women’s football,” Dodd said.

“In Australia, that led to Football Australia now having a board of almost 50 per cent women. It’s had an impact elsewhere too. In some ways, I hope I never hear about the biggest impacts, because that would mean the ripples of change have really gone far and wide.”

Former Matilda and lawyer Moya Dodd, has been made an AO (Officer of the Order of Australia) as part of the King's Birthday Honours. Picture: John Appleyard

Dodd said it was vital changes continued.

“It’s very important that people can question the status quo, ask how it got that way and have a say in how to improve it,” she said.

“In sport, it’s important to ensure that it is safe and well-run – but also to enable sport to leverage its enormous capacity to improve society.

“I was very surprised to receive this nomination and am grateful to those who made it possible.”

“My thanks to my family who gave me the best possible start in life; to my partner Sandy and kids Oscar and Zoe for their inspiration and support; and all those who have given me the opportunity to make a difference.”

A former Diamonds player and Australian netball captain, McIntosh took over as national coach in 1995 and led the team to two world championships (now World Cup) and two Commonwealth Games wins.

She finished her 94-Test tenure in 2003 after the Diamonds finished with silver at the world championships.

McIntosh, who continued to work in the sport after her involvement with the Diamonds finished, said she was both honoured and slightly embarrassed to have been recognised.

“You don’t go into a sport for the honours that you might get, you go into a sport because you love it,” Canberra-based McIntosh said.

“I got involved as a young netballer at primary school and loved the sport and kept on playing and then coaching.

“I’ve been very lucky along the way and to receive this honour is very surprising but very humbling.

“I’m very thankful for what netball has given me over the years.”

Many would argue McIntosh has given netball more.

Jill McIntosh has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to netball, particularly as a coach at the national and international level.

Her Diamonds involvement came during a golden age for the game, with McIntosh guiding players who remain household names in the sport.

Former captains Vicki Wilson and Liz Ellis, stalwarts Cath Cox and Simone McKinnis – “they’re all still heavily involved in this day and age – Nicole Cusack, who’s working over with South Africa”, a proud McIntosh said.

“I think that’s one of the great things is that you see these players, you have them as players and then they move on and become in their respective fields (in the sport), very good at what they do.

“It’s been great to see some of them and where they’ve ended up and what they’re doing now.”

McIntosh hopes that she may have helped foster that love of the sport.

“You hope that you have a small part in that and that their time with the Diamonds was part of (them keeping a love of the sport) – the camaraderie and the enjoyment factor and all those things you have with a team sport,” she said.

“I think all that plays its part in keeping people in the sport and in their respective areas they’ve all done very well.”