GVL: Wellman Medal incorrectly awarded

A major Victorian netball league has been forced to apologise after it incorrectly awarded its highest honour. Here’s what happened.

A local netball league has been forced to apologise after it embarrassingly awarded its competition best-and-fairest earlier this week.

The Goulburn Valley League, based in the state’s north, announced on Wednesday afternoon it had incorrectly named Tatura’s Elsie Boyer as the Wellman Medallist.

A statement from the league said the Bulldogs star had “inadvertently” been credited an extra three rounds during the final votes tallying.

With the mix up now being discovered, Seymour’s Sarah Szczykulski has now been declared the winner, one vote ahead of Boyes.

“All awards are audited twice throughout the season (mid-season and post-home and away season) and then again just before presentation night. The error was not in the votes but in the final tally, and unfortunately, due to human error, this was not picked up,” the statement from GVL chair Jacqui Hudson and AFL Goulburn Murray region manager Shaun Connell said.

“All other football and netball grades have been reviewed and confirmed as accurate.

We sincerely and unconditionally apologise to Elsie, her family, the Tatura FNC, Sarah, her family, and the Seymour FNC for this error.”

In its own statement, Tatura said it acknowledged the mistake that had been made.

“Sarah is an outstanding netballer, a person of the highest quality and a worthy recipient of the Wellman Family Medal,” a statement from Tatura said.

“We send our congratulations to the Seymour Football Netball Club, a club the Tatura Football Netball Club has deep respect for.

“Elise, her family, and the Tatura Football Netball Club accept the sincere and unconditional apology of the GVL for the error.

“Tatura Football Netball Club also affirm its ongoing support for Jacqui (Hudgson) and Josephine (Spencer).”

NEW FINAL LEADERBOARD

Sarah Szczykulski, Seymour — 25 votes

Elsie Boyer, Tatura — 24 votes

Asha Gray, Mooroopna — 22 votes

Casey Adamson, Seymour — 21 votes

Stephanie Vick, Echuca 21 votes

Teal Hocking, Rochester 21 votes

Tylah Marchbank, Euroa — 19 votes

Chelsea McDonald, Shepparton Swans — 18 votes

Hollie Reid, Kyabram — 18 votes