Marcia Ella Duncan

Marcia Ella-Duncan is a proud woman of Yuin and Bidjigal heritage, whose remarkable sporting career and lifelong community work have left a powerful legacy. From humble beginnings playing at nine years old for the La Perouse Netball Club, she rose through the ranks representing New South Wales at schoolgirls and Under-21 levels, before making history in 1983 as the first Indigenous Australian awarded a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport.

In 1986 she was the first Aboriginal woman selectedAustralia’s national team, the Australian Diamonds. The following year the team earned silver at the World Netball Championships. Her playing achievements were recognised with an Order of Australia Medal in 1988 for services to netball.

After retiring from elite play, Marcia turned her energy to coaching and community leadership. She founded the La Perouse Pearlers Netball Club and coached within the Randwick Netball Association (RNA), passing on her love of the game to younger generations.

She has applied her leadership skills to public service and Aboriginal affairs. As a respected advocate, she has chaired the NSW Aboriginal Child Sexual Assault Taskforce and held roles on governmental advisory panels, as well as contributing to land management and community development initiatives. In 2017 she was elected to the board of Netball Australia, serving as a strong voice for Indigenous netballers and using her position to influence greater inclusion and opportunity.

In 2025 she was honoured with the prestigious Waratah Award from Netball NSW, a recognition reserved for individuals whose careers combine sporting excellence with long-term commitment to sport and community.