No surprise! Kyneton netball star Kristiana Manu’a has taken out the Riddell League’s top award, the Jannine Ryan Medal for 2026.
The premier defender in the competition, Manu’a was in her first season with the Tigers, and has signed up as assistant playing coach for 2027.
It’s the third season in a row a Kyneton player has taken off the Ryan Medal, with Tilly Shepherd — now with Gisborne — securing the award in 2024 and 2025.
“Kris has been a wonderful acquisition to our club, helping our netballers at all levels. We are thrilled to have her back again next season,” elated KFNC president Julie Priestley said after the league’s medal count at Melton on Thursday night.
A strong Kyneton contingent was present to congratulate their superstar defender after she topped the vote count with 27 votes.
Manu’a won comfortably from Gisborne Giants key shooter Malia Seumanutafa, who also showed her class during the season.
The top two vote getters were selected in the 2026 Team of the Year.
Kyneton’s winner also claimed the Most Valuable Player award, and the best defender award.
Kristiana’s netball story is an inspiring one for young netballers.
Born in New Zealand, she eventually went on to play for the Australian Diamonds in 2016, and captained Samoa in 2023.
Recently she has been helping Samoa qualify for the World Cup in 2027.
Priestley said having the classy player at Kyneton again next season ensures the Tigers make a strong bid for a finals berth in A-grade.
They finished seventh, but the departure of brilliant goal shooter Elle Bird towards the end of the season meant a finals berth became a shaky proposition, and they finished just behind Macedon.
Bird made the Team of the Year, having scored 607 goals with deadly accuracy. Her height and accuracy were hard to overcome.
Kyneton will welcome any new netballers for 2027.
Experienced campaigner Dave O’Hare continues as senior coach at Tigerland.