Netball, community and culture will come together once again at Mount Druitt this Sunday, as the Koori Gala Day returns for another year.
The Netball NSW Koori Gala Days provide an opportunity for teams to compete and prepare for the Koori Netball Tournament in Charlestown, while also allowing identification of athletes, coaches and umpires for the First Nations Emerging Talent Camp.
Held at the Dot Lamerton Netball Courts, home of Mount Druitt Netball Association, this Gala Day welcomes teams from across the community for a celebration that extends well beyond the competition on the court. Last year’s Mount Druitt Koori Gala Day welcomed 36 teams, increasing from 22 in 2024, building on the success of previous years and bringing together players, families and communities from across NSW.
For Didjurigur Netball Club’s Aunty Cino — a proud Darug, Yuin and Murawari woman whose connection to netball and the Mount Druitt community ranges from her own playing days to now nurturing the next generation — the Gala Day holds special significance.
“To have it at Mount Druitt is a big blessing, because it puts our little Mount Druitt on the map,” Aunty Cino shared.
“To see all the different people that travelled near and far last year, it was just overwhelming… we don’t get to see much of our mob because we’re all doing our different journeys, but when we get together for sports, it’s a positive thing. It’s all about connecting.”
That sense of connection will again be at the heart of Sunday’s Gala Day, with Aunty Cino delivering a Welcome to Country and a cultural performance as part of the day’s activities. This year’s Gala Day is set to be a standout, with a Netball NSW run art stall among the activities bringing players, families and the wider community together.
In a day full of excitement and netball competition, however, the importance of Sunday for Aunty Cino extends far beyond the court.
“I love my community as much as I love my family. I look at my community as my family,” Aunty Cino said.
“It’s not just the sporting, it’s family gathering, it’s building friendships, it’s breaking barriers.”
Aunty Cino has seen firsthand the role netball plays in creating a sense of belonging for young people across her community.
“I want them to have beautiful memories. To try and have these memories by building a sport that they love and keeps them connected, it’s filling that cup for them.”
This Sunday’s Gala Day serves as another opportunity to create these memories, and this inclusive approach is of great importance to Aunty Cino and Didjurigur Netball Club. Her and fellow club volunteers have taken it upon themselves to reach out to players who were not already part of a team, ensuring everyone has a place and is included in a team ahead of Sunday.
And with another strong turnout expected at Mount Druitt on Sunday, there is one thing Aunty Cino is looking forward to most of all:
“I’m looking forward to meeting new faces. New faces, near and far... and everyone just coming together as one.”
With this Sunday’s event as Netball NSW’s second last Koori Gala Day of 2026, you can read more about our Koori Gala Days here.
