Netball Central was bursting with energy, colour and pride yesterday as Netball NSW hosted its first Multicultural Carnivale, an event designed not just to entertain, but to affirm the powerful role sport plays in building inclusive, connected communities.
At its heart, Carnivale is about more than netball. It’s about representation, visibility and creating a space where every participant regardless of their cultural or background feels welcomed and valued. As one of the most diverse states in Australia, NSW is home to people from a wide range of backgrounds, and this event proudly reflected that diversity in every corner of the court.
The day opened with a meaningful Acknowledgement of Country by Maryam Arbo, a reminder of the deep cultural foundations on which all communities in Australia are built. From there, the spirit of celebration took over with Pacific Islander dancing, traditional Henna design stations, Middle Eastern music - featuring a DJ, and food that reflected the global roots of the participants.
While the netball action was central with drills, games and competitions that engaged students from across NSW the real impact came from what happened around the ball: connections were formed, stories were shared, and barriers were broken down.
Key voices from the netball community highlighted the importance of inclusion, with Netball NSW Board Member Sallianne urging the sport to actively embrace and celebrate diversity. The presence of athletes like Harlym Jennings (19U NSW State Team), Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts), and GIANTS Netball’s Maddie Hay and Tilly McDonald added inspiration and energy, as they connected with students, joined in activities, and showed that netball is a place where everyone belongs — from grassroots to elite level.
"Carnivale is about more than just playing netball, it's about creating a space where young people from all backgrounds feel seen, celebrated and included," said Varnie Raman, Netball NSW Inclusions Lead. "When students see their cultures reflected in an event like this through dance, food, music and community it builds a sense of belonging that can last far beyond the day itself. That’s the true power of inclusive sport."
This commitment goes beyond just a single day. Carnivale is part of a broader, ongoing effort to use sport as a platform for inclusion where young people can see themselves in the game, and where culture is not just accepted, but celebrated.
In a multicultural Australia, it’s events like this that show how sport can unite us, not by asking people to leave their identities at the door, but by encouraging them to bring their full selves onto the court.
