Coffs Harbour came alive on Wednesday as more than 130 students from four local schools filled the courts for the Netball NSW Carnivale — a dynamic event celebrating community, culture and belonging through netball.
Students from Orara High School, Narranga Public School, Coffs Harbour Public School and Woolgoolga Public School took part in a day of fun, friendship and learning that blended cultural experiences with the joy of netball.
The event opened with an Acknowledgement of Country by students from Orara High School before the spotlight turned to 15-year-old Eshaani Atwal, a rising star from Woolgoolga of Indian background, who shared her personal journey through the Netball NSW Pathway.
Eshaani — who plays at the Woolgoolga Netball Association and is now a Goal Attack/Goal Shooter for the North Coast Academy of Sport 15/16 Years Netball Team — spoke to the crowd about her early years, recalling how she first joined netball at age five as a way to make friends at school.
“I was really shy and found it hard to make friends,” she told students. “Netball changed that for me. I made my best friends through sport, and I learned that when you put yourself out there, amazing things can happen.”
Her message, “you have to see it to be it”, resonated with the young audience, many of whom come from Coffs Harbour’s culturally diverse community — including students from Indian, Sudanese, Asian and Lebanese backgrounds.
Eshaani’s story is one of inclusion and persistence, and her family’s involvement in the local netball scene has made her a familiar face at the courts. Her mother, Harpreet, known locally for her legendary butter chicken (famously praised by Australian Diamond Liz Ellis on her No Dribble podcast), was among the proud supporters watching on.
Following Eshaani’s speech, students threw themselves into skills and drills sessions led by Netball NSW Development Officers and enjoyed an energetic African Drumming Workshop with Drummer Girl Simone Lang, filling the courts with rhythm, movement and laughter.
Cass Notley, Netball NSW Regional Officer and Head Coach of the North Coast Academy of Sport 15/16 Years Netball Team, said the event perfectly captured the spirit of the region and the role sport plays in bringing people together.
“The atmosphere was just incredible — so much colour, energy and joy,” Notley said. “You could see the students connecting not only through netball, but through music, culture and shared experience.”
“For many of these kids, this was their first time playing netball or taking part in an event like this. To have someone like Eshaani share her story — a young local girl who started just like them and is now representing at Academy level — that’s powerful. It shows them what’s possible.”
Throughout the day, Eshaani joined the Development Officers on court, assisting with drills and match play, encouraging students to give netball a go — and showing that leadership comes in many forms.
The 15-year-old encouraged students to join the Coffs Harbour Netball Association and provided them with contact details for the local netball clubs.
The event wrapped up with smiles, laughter and plenty of giveaways, including NSW Swifts pencil cases and signed posters, with students leaving inspired and energised.
Carnivale is part of Netball NSW’s statewide commitment to ensuring netball is accessible, welcoming and reflective of every community in New South Wales.
“Coffs Harbour has such a rich mix of cultures and community spirit,” Notley added. “Events like Carnivale remind us that netball isn’t just a sport — it’s a connector, a confidence-builder and a community in itself.”
Frances Cordaro, Netball NSW
