Lyons (60), who is a member of the Netball Otago, went to Auckland for an NNZ council meeting last month unaware she was going to be recognised for her contribution to netball.
"I was really surprised," she said.
"You don't ever expect you are going to get those kinds of things so it was a great honour and a really fun kind of day."
She said she became eligible for the award after she received an Otago award "many years ago" for her services to netball, and later an Otago life membership.
Lyons, a former Queen's High School teacher for 27 years, has been involved in netball since 1970.
She said she played the sport at high school and when she left she became involved in umpiring.
"I umpired at a reasonable level and got involved in some interprovincial stuff at New Zealand level and just really enjoyed that aspect of it."
Lyons said over the years she had coached numerous teams and was also involved in managerial roles with teams in the Otago region.
"I just love the sport and being involved in it is so much fun. I have still got lots to do and certainly haven't finished yet."
Lyons no longer teaches but is still based at Queen's, where she co-ordinates the scholarship programme for all the high school pupils in Dunedin, and also helps develop umpires.
"South Island secondary school netball is very strong. It is extremely well run and a joy to be a part of."
Recently, Lyons and husband Neil became grandparents to a girl. Lyons said they already had three grandsons, who gave them "great joy", and they were very excited about the arrival of a granddaughter.
"I can't wait to put a netball in her hands. I love the grandsons dearly, but now finally I have a wee girl to get involved in netball."
