McMahon a real Bronzed Aussie
Ms McMahon’s legacy and contribution to sport was recognized on International Women’s Day with a statue unveiled on Wednesday outside Victoria’s home of netball – Melbourne’s John Cain Arena.
She is the fifth athlete to receive a statue in Victoria, following Olympians Betty Cuthbert, Shirley Strickland and Nova Peris, and AFLW star Tayla Harris.
Ms McMahon’s family, including her mother Olive and father John, were present at the unveiling.
“I feel like I’ve been immeasurably shaped by the amazing women I’ve been surrounded with, so I thank everyone who has had that impact on me,” Sharelle said.
“My family has always kept me down to earth – I don’t know how that is as you are standing in front of a statue that is being lent to me.
“It’s a bit surreal.”
Mum Olive produced one of the lines of the day when she was being interviewed.
“I now call myself the mother of the statue, I used to be the mother of the netballer,” she joked.
The statue, created by artists Gillie and Marc, depicts Ms McMahon in a typical pose while shooting at goal and takes pride of place outside the John Cain Arena.
“I think it looks amazing, I’m amazed at where it sits, I thought it would be hidden,” Sharelle said.
“The John Cain Arena will always be a place that is very close to my heart.
“Spent many times on the pitch here, great memories of playing netball and representing not just our state but Australia.”
Ms. McMahon remains an icon of the game with her illustrious netball career spanning 25 years as both a player and coach, amassing a long list of accomplishments.
She represented Melbourne Phoenix and later Melbourne Vixens as a player more than 200 times and at the age of 21 she made her debut for the Australian Diamonds.
Rochester connection: Teenage girl Sharelle McMahon was crowned Miss Junior Showgirl at the 1989 Great Northern Show in Rochester. She won the title in front of 20 other girls.
Ms McMahon captained Australia 12 times in an international career spanning 14 years and 118 games, including two gold and two silver medals in four Commonwealth Games and two wins at the Netball World Cup, even scoring the winning goal at the World Cup 1999 scored.
She was the first athlete from a team sport to be selected as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame as an athlete in 2016.
Ms McMahon continues to be a towering presence in the sport, working as Cricket Victoria’s Head of Female Cricket since December 2021.
The statue was commissioned as part of the state government’s Celebrating Female Sporting Icons initiative.
“Recognizing our female sports heroes will help level the playing field and inspire the next generation of elite sports talent,” said Sport Secretary Steve Dimopoulos.
“Victorians are as diverse as the sports we play and it’s important that the athletes we honor reflect that diversity.”
Women Secretary Natalie Hutchins said Wednesday was a significant moment.
“It is fitting recognition on International Women’s Day for Sharelle McMahon, whose incredible performances both on and off the netball field have left an indelible mark on Victoria’s sporting history and have been an inspiration to women and girls around the world,” she said.