Netball NSW and GIANTS Netball are proud to announce a new initiative as part of their Indigenous Round celebrations this year.
On Sunday, June 6 the GIANTS will host a curtain-raiser match between the Netball NSW Indigenous All-Stars and the GIANTS Netball Academy.
It’s an initiative led by GIANTS Academy Coach and proud Kamilaroi woman Ali Tucker-Munro, Netball NSW General Manager Performance and Pathways Margaret Hamley and GIANTS Head Coach Julie Fitzgerald.
“This initiative is something I have wanted to do for some time now,” said Tucker-Munro.
“And like most innovative ideas, the creation of this Indigenous All-stars team relied on people with a strong sense of purpose and shared commitment.”
Tucker-Munro is a former National League player and is dedicated to helping netball grow on and off the court.
“The concept of this team is built around me knowing the importance of identifying, acknowledging and celebrating highly talented Indigenous NSW netballers - particularly those that are emerging high performance pathway athletes, as well as experienced mature aged athletes currently in the high-performance space.
“It’s no secret that our sport has a vast amount of work to do to nurture and foster an environment that will support the emergence of our next Indigenous Australian Diamond.
“I know first-hand that being in the elite pathways is tough. Therefore, the team is an important vehicle by which these Indigenous athletes can know that ‘we see you, we acknowledge you and we celebrate you’.
“This team also provides a platform to raise the profile of our Indigenous athletes. It positions them as emerging role models and fosters an environment where cultural connections can be built with their teammates in a culturally safe space.
“Lastly, the Indigenous All-Stars team becomes a team that other young First Nations girls can aspire to be selected in as they look to start their performance journey - Be it trialling at their local Regional Academy, NSW State teams or playing in the state’s pre-eminent competition, the Origin Energy Premier League.”
Tucker already has visions for what this team and opportunity could further develop in to.
“I’d love this model to be replicated within each state and territory nationally,’ she said.
“I’d then be delighted to have a national First Nations team selected to compete at the Australian National Championships.”
Trials by invitation were held earlier this month, with players travelling from places like Wagga Wagga, Orange, Queanbeyan and Nelsons Bay.
“The talent of the team is exciting,” Tucker-Munro said.
“We have a mix of current Origin Energy Premier League athletes, SSN Academy athletes, former NSW state players as well as emerging young players.”
Tucker-Munro will step aside from her normal position of the GIANTS Academy coach to coach the Indigenous All-Stars for the curtain raiser match next Sunday.
“I’m honoured to be able to be a part of this inaugural team. It means a lot to me from both a cultural and community perspective,” she said.
“It’s a way in which I can support, nurture, connect with, and empower the current crop of elite Indigenous athletes as they navigate and participate in NSW’s performance programs.”
The match between the Indigenous All-Stars and GIANTS Netball Academy will begin at 11:15am on Sunday, June 6 before the GIANTS take on the Swifts in the much-anticipated NSW Derby. Gates will open at 11am for all ticket holders to watch both matches.
Congratulations to the following athletes who have been selected in the inaugural Netball NSW Indigenous All-Stars team:
- Ayla Clark – Sutherland Shire
- Chloe Pattison – Charlestown
- Courtney Jones – Randwick (captain)
- Daisy Kennedy-Holtz – Randwick
- Emily Dunn – Shoalhaven
- Emma Smith – Sutherland Shire
- Georgie-Annah Elder – Charlestown
- Kayla Nakhoul – Camden and District
- Olivia Clark – Queanbeyan
- Tarsha Hawley – Newcastle (captain)
- Tegan Holland – Shoalhaven
- Thalia Uilelea – Queanbeyan
Officiating the match will be two of Netball NSW’s Indigenous National A Umpires Jordan Kiss (Gosford) and Mark Munnich (Northern Suburbs).
Access to the Indigenous All-Stars versus GIANTS Academy match will be included in the ticket for the NSW Derby between the GIANTS and Swifts on Sunday, 6 June. Tickets can be purchased here.
