Jackson claims second Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award

Highlighting her consistency and rising status at the defensive end of the netball court, goalkeeper Kelly Jackson (nee Jury) has made it back-to-back titles after winning the Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award for 2023.

In being recognised as New Zealand’s best netballer across all competitions and campaigns last year, Jackson claimed the title outright after sharing the 2022 award with shooter Grace Nweke.

Apart from midcourt maestro Laura Langman, who won the Supreme Award on three occasions, Jackson is the only other multiple winner since the inception of the New Zealand Netball Awards in 2015.

“Both are very special and any recognition as huge as this is something I’m very proud of,” Jackson said.

“I’m not one to enjoy the spotlight and being the centre of attention makes me a little bit uncomfortable but I’m really proud of myself and excited to be able to share this with my friends and family.

“I’m very surprised but obviously very honoured. 2022 was such a big year for me and I put that extra bit of pressure on myself to back that up with my performances in 2023.”

Continuing to impress as the last line of defence, the 1.92m Jackson, 27, has gone ahead in leaps and bounds over the last three seasons. Injury-free and elevated to the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse co-captaincy in 2022, Jackson relished the extra responsibility which went hand-in-hand with a commanding on-court presence where her consistency and ability to turn ball over were constant highlights.

Jackson topped the rebounds and deflection counts while placing second in intercepts across all players in the 2023 ANZ Premiership.

One of the tallest defenders in the country, Jackson is a constant threat with her disruptive lean and rebounding ability while adding another dimension with her ball hunting skills. Unassuming and with an unflappable temperament, she has thrived in the Pulse environment.

Making her Silver Ferns debut in 2017, the same year she played an instrumental role in the NZU21 team’s title-winning exploits at the World Youth Cup, Jackson has continued to profit from more consistent game time and growing maturity on the international front.

Featuring in all the Silver Ferns 2023 campaigns, Jackson has become a regular starter and has continued to grow her game and impact. With 65 Test caps under her belt, Jackson is now a seasoned international campaigner and was particularly prominent in the season-opening Netball Quad series, the Taini Jamison Trophy and the Silver Ferns two wins in New Zealand during the Constellation Cup series against Australia.