‘Mons’ renowned for commitment, passion
MONICA Leggat was one of the great servants of New Zealand netball. In a lifetime dedicated to the game, Leggat, who died on March 5, aged 86, was renowned for her commitment and passion across a wealth of roles.
She served as Netball New Zealand president, managed the world champion Silver Ferns and the New Zealand under21 team, and was the driving force behind Waikato netball.
Across nearly 70 years, all of her contributions to the game and community were voluntary.
The woman known fondly as ‘‘Mons’’ was famous for her organisational skills, and her quiet and unassuming way of going about her roles.
Her passion for the game was evident. Even after receiving numerous honours recognising her dedication to netball — including a life membership of Netball New Zealand — Leggat was still devoted to helping the grassroots level of the game grow.
Those who knew her describe her as netball’s ‘‘treasure’’.
Dame Lois Muir, who was the Silver Ferns coach during Leggat’s era as manager, remembers a woman who had a lasting influence on the netball community.
‘‘Monica was a wonderful person, a great team manager and a friend,’’ Muir said.
‘‘She brought her incredible ability of caring for people to her management style. She was always so willing to give her time — she was there for anyone.
‘‘With Monica and I, you just can’t call it friendship. It’s deeper than that. You have your highs and lows in sport and then you have your moments. She was a wonderful person to share that era with.’’
Originally from Nelson, a province she represented on court, Leggat moved to Waikato, where she immersed herself in education as a trained teacher and in netball.
She started on the committee at Netball Waikato in 1973 and was soon elected president, a role she held from 1975 to 1997. Leggat was instrumental in the smooth amalgamation of the four unions — Waikato, South Waikato, Riverlands and Thames Valley — to form the Netball Waikato region, and held the role of president of the new organisation from 1997 to 2004.
When the WaikatoBay of Plenty Magic franchise was formed, she was the inaugural chairman.
To the New Zealand netball public, Leggat was probably best known for her role as a team manager.
Her hardworking approach and meticulous planning made her an ideal manager for the New Zealand under21 team and the Silver Ferns, from 1985 to 1991.
During that era, Leggat helped guide the New Zealand team to win the World Games in 1985 and 1988, and the 1987 Netball World Cup in Glasgow.
Her daughter, Dee, followed in her footsteps, as manager of the Silver Ferns and the Northern Stars in the ANZ Premiership.
Leggat joined the Netball
New Zealand board in 1989, and was elected president in 2001.
She was a trustee on the Scottwood Trust — which helped top athletes with their educational fees — and a trustee for the City Sports Foundation. She was a member of the Waikato Institute of Leisure and Sport Studies Board for many years.
Her dedication was first recognised in 1988 when she received the Netball New Zealand Service Award. She became a life member in 2002.
In 1999, she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to netball and the community, and she received the Halberg Trust Service to Sport award in 2003.
In 2012, she received an honorary Master of Science (Sport and Exercise Science) degree from the Waikato Institute of Technology.
It wasn’t about the honours for Leggat. She took great delight in mixing with those involved with the game — from players and management to sponsors and fans. She simply loved being involved in netball.