Ann Willcocks is considered “the godmother of netball in B.C.” having started the sport in the province here in Burnaby. The former Burnaby North High School principal coached the provincial team, starting in 1983, for four decades. She has taken Canada to international tournaments at least eight times, including the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the 1993 World Games, where they finished a best-ever fifth.

Willcocks has served as president of of BC Netball’s board of directors and has also spearheaded a grassroots program, mentoring players and introducing netball at both the elementary and secondary school levels. She has also worked as Netball Canada’s technical director.