OAM for dedication to netball

John Hahn has always been the cheer squad for his wife and daughter, both keen netball players. In the 1980s the husband and father of three recognised Bringelly Sports Club, which hosted the netball and soccer needed a helping hand, he was quick to roll up his sleeves. It began a decades long dedication and commitment to netball.

Fast forward to 2026 and Mr Hahn from Spring Farm, has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in recognition of his outstanding service to netball.

“I am very chuffed. I am very happy to receive it,” Mr Hahn said proudly.

Asked why netball became his passion, said his sporting journey initially began with soccer when his two sons were young.

“I was a soccer referee, and soccer was part of the Bringelly Sports Club,” he said.

However, with his daughter Tracey and wife Lyn heavily involved in netball, Mr Hahn saw an opportunity to contribute in a different way, drawing on the administration skills he had developed through his career as a project manager.

“It evolved from there,” he said.“I find administration interesting and I like sport – it seemed a perfect fit.”

At the time, volunteers were few and far between, and Mr Hahn was keen to “do his bit”.

Over the years at Bringelly, he filled a wide range of roles, from vice-president in 1981 to president in 1984, as well as coach, and umpire. He was awarded life membership.

His commitment and capability did not go unnoticed. From there, he moved on to the then-fledgling Camden and District Netball Association, which had around 500 players at the time. From 1987 onwards, Mr Hahn served on the umpires committee, as carnival coordinator, treasurer, vice-president and president and more.

Recently re-elected as vice-president, he also holds life membership with the association, which now boasts around 3,500 players – and going up.

While club netball has always been close to his heart, Mr Hahn has also played a significant role at the state level through Netball NSW, the peak governing body overseeing the sport from grassroots to elite competition.

“I was the first male elected to the board in 2000,” he said, describing it as a “100 per cent win”.

Once again, it came to stepping up when there was work to be done.

His first role was on the finance committee from 1995 and that soon expanded to a range of senior roles. He also served as a board member until 2018 and as a director. He is also a life member.

Despite his extensive off-court involvement, he did have one brief stint on the court – playing alongside his daughter Tracey when she was 13 in a father and daughter competition in the early days.

“It was different, but fun,” he laughed.

John Hahn has dedicated decades to netball has been acknowledged with an OAM.

“They put me as goal shooter, and I couldn’t shoot a goal to save my life. Then I went into wing defence – that was okay.”

A qualified umpire, Mr Hahn, the father of two and grandfather of seven, admits he is far more comfortable on the sidelines than on the court.

“Netball is a great sport and Camden and District Netball Association has a great venue [Narellan Sports Hub], where a lot of people there are working very hard to grow the sport and run the sport.”