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NSW First Nations Team set for National Tournament

25 JUL 2024

Netball NSW is delighted to announce the athletes selected to represent New South Wales at Netball Australia’s inaugural First Nations National Tournament scheduled to be held in Melbourne this September.

With the support of FDC, the NSW First Nations Team will contest the Tournament which aims to provide accelerated and equitable opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants in netball.

The Tournament will take place at the State Netball Centre in Melbourne from Friday to Sunday, 13-15 September.

The Tournament will feature Under-23 aged teams from every State and Territory who will compete across three days of competition.

Alongside NSW the Tournament will also have teams representing Victoria, ACT, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

“The 2024 pilot First Nations Tournament marks the first step of a national First Nations netball competition,” Netball Australia CEO Stacey West said.

“It will provide the opportunity for Netball Australia and its Member Organisations to develop what an ongoing First Nations tournament can grow to become as our sport moves forward on its collective First Nations journey.”

First Nations coaches, umpires and officials from around the country will also take part in the inaugural event, further showcasing the depth of Indigenous talent that exits across the netball landscape. Leading the NSW team in Melbourne will be Colleen Mitchell (Head Coach) and Kellyanne Huggins (Assistant Coach), while Emerging Umpire Ryan Ahearne will also be participating.

The Tournament follows several national First Nations programs established this year including a pilot First Nations Coaching Course, as well as the formation and debut of Netball Australia’s First Nations Invitational Netball Team, the Black Swans, at the 2024 Pacific Netball Series.

Netball Australia’s First Nations Engagement Lead Ali Tucker-Munro expressed the importance of the inaugural Tournament.

“I cannot wait to see our girls in action, as well as the opportunity to connect with mob from across Australia who share the same passion and love for our great game that I do,” Tucker-Munro said.

“The introduction of this First Nations Tournament demonstrates the commitment from Netball Australia and all Member Organisations to take the required steps to ensure our sport is a safe inclusive space for First Nations Australians, whilst recognising and nurturing the First Nations talent we know exists within our communities across Australia.

“I’d also like to thank our partners who have demonstrated a deep understanding of what it means to invest in programs that create opportunities specifically for our strong staunch First Nations women and girls.”

Russell Grady, Managing Director of FDC, who are supporting the NSW team, said:

“As long-term supporters of women’s sport and GIANTS Netball, FDC were thrilled to be offered the opportunity to assist Netball NSW in participating in the pilot First Nations Tournament. We would like to thank Netball Australia for introducing this great initiative.

“The impact that such an event will have on encouraging and developing the talents of First Nations netballers across the country, and contributing to the overall strength of our game, cannot be underestimated.

“FDC are very proud to be able to support such a worthwhile event and look forward to its future successes”.

Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott said:

“Netball NSW firmly believes that there should be an annual First Nations National Tournament in the high-performance calendar and we confirmed our commitment to this initiative immediately upon it being raised as a possibility.

“I would like to sincerely thank FDC for their support to enable us to participate and Netball Australia for working collaboratively with its Member Organisations to ensure the tournament commences this year.”

The 2024 First Nations Tournament will be free for patrons to attend.

NSW FIRST NATIONS TEAM