Amy Safe (Gillett) Award presented to Emma Flick-Booth from Budgies Indigenous Netball

By Bridget Hicks (PSG Staff)

Emma Flick-Booth has been presented with the Amy Safe (Gillett) Award for her exemplary on-court behaviour and outstanding contribution to her team while representing Budgies Indigenous Netball in the 15 years and under netball competition at the Pacific School Games.

Mary Safe, the mother of the late Amy Gillett (nee Safe), spoke of her family’s pride in having an award named after Amy, who was professional cyclist and avid netballer growing up, and presented the ACT resident with the award at netball’s Closing Ceremony.

“It’s a really lovely legacy of Amy’s life and particularly in netball, which she absolutely loved,” Mary said.

“Paula Nielsen (SSA Netball National Secretary) contacted me and said ‘look, we’d like to have an award in Amy’s name’, just to personify some of the things that Amy stood for in netball.

“A lot of resilience, hard work and those sorts of things, you know, netball really got her on the path to move into other sports and showed her what sport can do for you as a person.

“So, we were really, really thrilled because it’s really important that her legacy lives on and this is one of the lovely ways that School Sport Australia has honoured her life.”

The Amy Safe (Gillett) Award was peer-voted, with players recognising outstanding individuals on opposing teams during the championship.

A winner was announced for each state and territory and then Emma was revealed as the overall recipient.

“It means a lot to me, I love netball and it’s just amazing to get this award out of everybody. It makes me feel like I can do anything,” Emma said after receiving the award.

The award acknowledges Amy’s team-first attitude and sportsmanlike qualities, displayed when she was competing both in underage netball and also as an elite athlete representing Australia in rowing and cycling.

“I remember the first year Amy was selected (for the state netball team), she didn’t get much court time and I think the coach and manager were really pleased with how she took that,” said Mary.

“She watched and cheered her teammates on and that’s all part of being a team player because we don’t always get selected to do everything and I think that’s a really important part of developing as a sports person.

“Amy always had a lot of fun with netball, it was hard work but she loved it, it was the fun and comradery with the girls.

“Of course, we all know it’s actually about competing, not always winning.”

Emma shared similar sentiments, sharing that for her the week has been about “just having fun, playing netball and meeting new friends”.

The Pacific School Games netball championship finished on Friday, with Victoria taking out gold in the 15 years and under division and New South Wales finishing on top in the 12 years and under competition.