TALENTED Nelson Bay defender Ella Jones has experienced one of her finest seasons on the netball court.
A fierce and versatile competitor with skill and poise, 21-year-old Ella is the toast of the region along with Medowie sensation Mackenzie Bohan after helping Hunter Netball 2 team capture this year’s Netball NSW Metro League Development Series championship.
Wing defence Ella and goal defence Mackenzie turned in superb performances to help Hunter topple Liverpool City 48-29 in the recent grand final at Sydney’s Netball Central to win the title undefeated.
So impressive was Jones she took out Hunter Team 2’s Players’ Player Award in recognition of her wholehearted displays throughout the series and for her impact on and off the court.
Jones formed a dynamic defensive combination with 16-year-old young gun Bohan, who earned the Hunter Rising Star Award for her phenomenal efforts.
Dubbed the “intercept queen”, the determined wing defender impressed keen judges during the Monday night Metro League series, which brings together the state’s top metro-based players, coaches, umpires and administrators.
Championship-winning Hunter coach Simone Robertson said the Players’ Player award is especially meaningful “because it comes from her teammates”.
“The overwhelming support Ella received says everything about the player and person she is,” Robertson said.
“Week after week, she was one of our most consistent performers. A standout in wing defence, she was relentless in her efforts, creating turnovers, applying pressure and delivering for the team every time she stepped on court.
“What makes Ella so valuable is her willingness to do whatever the team needs. Whether it was wing defence, goal defence or goalkeeper, she embraced every challenge and gave it her all, no matter the position.
“The team knew they could rely on her.”
Jones has always led through her actions and is eager to learn while putting the team first.
Robertson says she is the type of player every coach hopes to have in their team: reliable, selfless, hard-working and consistently effective.
“Her contribution to Hunter Team 2 throughout the season has been invaluable,” Robertson added.
The all-conquering Hunter team won 17 and drew one of their 18 regular season fixtures before downing Blacktown City 61-31 in a semi-final.
Hunter recorded victories over Hills District 34-28; St George 55-32; Campbelltown 54-20; Camden & District 55-23; Blacktown City 48-32; Bankstown City 36-26; Inner West 57-20; Ku-ring-gai 61-29; Penrith 46-38; Sutherland Shire 56-30; Northern Suburbs 64-21; Blue Mountains 62-18; Baulkham Hills 68-30; Eastwood-Ryde 46-35; Hawkesbury City 72-28; Manly-Warringah 53-34 and Randwick 48-35 and drew 36-all with Liverpool City.
Supported by the DOOLEYS Catholic Club for over a decade, Metro League has been a key pathway for NSW talent progressing to the Netball NSW Premier League and Suncorp Super Netball.
During the 2026 season, Jones also featured for the BNC Club in Newcastle Netball Association’s Opens Tri Series and represented Nelson Bay at the State Senior Netball titles in Sydney.
There was plenty to celebrate in the household in recent weeks with younger sister Annalise, 17, receiving Nelson Bay’s Kath McCutcheon Representative Player of the Year Award.
It was a major accolade for goalkeeper Annalise and recognises outstanding talent, dedication and sportsmanship among the association’s representative players.
Not to be outdone, mum Linda Byrnes coached the Nelson Bay Senior Opens team at this year’s State Netball titles and guided the Stingrays under-12s side to premiership glory in Nelson Bay’s Intermediate under-14yrs competition.
By Chris KARAS
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