Sarah Kasparian from the Corio Football and Netball Club has been recognised as the GDFNL A Grade netball Athlete’s Foot most valuable player for 2026.
The final count saw Kasparian finish with 33 votes while Mia Edwards (Anakie) trailed just behind with 31 votes as determined by the opposing clubs each round.
Originally from South Australia, Kasparian joined the league this year and has played out her first season with Corio with a history of country netball and leading goal-scorer awards.
After maintaining a season-long lead on the Athlete’s Foot MVP leaderboard, Kasparian is proud of her achievement and thanks her club for their unwavering support along the way.
“I’m so thankful to have gotten this award and it means a lot. I feel like I’ve put in the hard work, so it’s nice to get recognised for that,” Kasparian said.
“I wouldn’t have gotten there if it wasn’t for everyone at Corio supporting me.”
Back in Round 15, Kasparian led the MVP leaderboard with 27 votes while 2026 Margaret Webb medallist Claudia Cook, who placed third, trailed behind with 26 votes.
Following the final mid-season vote count, Corio secured three consecutive wins across Rounds 14 to 16, giving Kasparian the opportunity to maintain her place on the leaderboard.
“We’d worked really hard throughout the season to play a consistent four quarters, so the potential for us is amazing,” Kasparian shared.
Kasparian has been a committed and competitive player throughout the season, playing all 18 of Corio’s home and away games, allowing her to score 519 goals from 713 goal attempts.
Her accuracy, team-player mentality and genuine passion for netball are all factors that resulted in Athlete’s Foot MVP honour.
“No one plays a team sport for individual awards but it’s really nice to be acknowledged in that way and to do it at Corio,” Kasparian said.
At 35 years of age, Kasparian is showing no signs of slowing down and hopes that her MVP award proves that anyone can play netball and continue strive for excellence.
“I’m playing some of my best netball, and it’s because I’m supported and around a good club with a good team that trusts me,” Kasparian said.
“Without that support, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have.”
2026 A GRADE NETBALL MVP AWARD
1st – Sarah Kasparian (Corio) – 33 votes
2nd – Mia Edwards (Anakie) – 31 votes
3rd – Claudia Cook (East Geelong) – 30 votes
4th – Olivia Barber (Winchelsea) – 26 votes
5th – Maddison McKiernan (Winchelsea) – 25 votes
6th – Mikaela Minns (Bannockburn) – 23 votes
7th – Lila Morris (Bannockburn) – 22 votes
7th – Ella Wasik (Belmont Lions) – 22 votes
9th – Amelia Jarvis (Thomson) – 21 votes
