Coach on why connection comes first

By Stephanie Smarrelli

While preparing to lead the ACT in the pilot First Nations Tournament, head coach Natalee George confessed she feels pressure being a First Nations high performance coach. 

Despite the pressure, the proud Gamilaroi woman, born and bred on Ngunnawal Country, is excited to be leading the charge.  

“It's been phenomenal to see how many changes have been made in the netball high performance pathway since Ali Tucker-Munro came on board,” she said. 

“Being part of the First Nations coaching program, then seeing the Black Swans play for the first time when I first heard about this tournament happening it was really exciting. 

“I feel it's a strong opportunity for us to showcase the deadly talent we have in netball across the country.”  

George has been part of Netball Australia’s First Nations coaching course pilot and credits it to building her confidence as a coach having at times felt a bit of imposter syndrome. 

"Coaching as a First Nations person, sometimes I have felt I'm really different to other coaches,” she said. 

“But what Ali has reminded me of through the course is everyone sees the game differently and that's okay. 

“It's one of the biggest lessons I've taken away. It's okay to see things differently and to not be like the other coaches. There’s value and strength I bring to the ACT and the coaching environment.” 

The other lesson George has taken away from the course and is applying ahead of the First Nations Tournament is to ensure she’s creating safe environments for the athletes. 

“Creating a safe environment in the high performance pathway in netball can sometimes have its challenges,” she said. 

"It's important we have coaches in the pathway who know what setting cultural safety in a high performance environment is all about so we can create more safe spaces in every state and territory for our athletes to thrive. 

"I hope the ACT team see someone like me doing this, have seen my confidence rise this year and it will help them feel more confident in bringing who they are to any environment they're in and feel safe enough to do so.”  

Unlike some of her counterparts George was never a high performance netballer herself but she isn’t letting that hold her back. 

“I've not played netball at a very high level, I've coached more representative teams than I've ever played in,” she said. 

“To be in this space coaching high performance athletes representing the ACT and most importantly representing my family and my communities is special.  

“I've always reflected on never feeling good enough to be coaching at this level and these opportunities have opened my eyes to understanding it doesn't matter what other people think of me or my experience. 

“What I bring as an individual and knowing who I am and where I come from is first and foremost and knowing my community and family are behind me 100 per cent gives me all the strength I need.” 

It’s of the upmost importance for George to continually stay connected with her community and First Nations heritage. 

The coach spent some time last month at Uluru and attending the Indigenous Garma Festival in the Northern Territory. 

“I’ve been connecting to my culture and identity since I was 15 years old and it’s a huge priority for me in my everyday values and how I choose to live my life,” she said. 

“I'm really passionate about ensuring my sons know who they are and where they come from so they're strongly connected to their culture, their community and their elders because I wasn't given that opportunity as a youngster.” 

The importance of connecting to your roots she has reminded the ACT team of ahead of the First Nations Tournament taking the side’s camp to Boomanulla Oval, a significant sporting place for the Canberra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. 

“I wanted the athletes to be at a culturally significant place to understand what the Canberra community is and who they are,” she said. 

"Boomanulla is special and we were able to have our connection to culture, identity and community as part of the camp and it was important to me for the athletes to be able to spend some time connecting on country.”  

George also called in Jo Lesiputty to speak with the team. Lesiputty was the first Indigenous person to represent Australia in softball and represented Australia on a netball tour to the Cook Islands in 1987. 

“Jo was able to share with the players some of her netball memories and the challenges she faced at the time representing Australia,” she said. 

"She represented Australia in four different sports, that was another key part ensuring the girls could yarn with someone around sporting experience. 

“Jo gave the girls some great insights into knowing who they are, where they come from and who they're representing, it was powerful.”  

While connection comes first for the side, they’re not backing down from the challenge of returning home champions. 

"This is an opportunity for us to showcase our deadly team and the talent we have,” George said. 

“I want to ensure they utilise the creativity and flair they have. 

“They’re all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women on the netball court and I want them to really embrace that in each other.”  

George highlighted some of the stand outs on her team for fans to keep an eye on throughout the tournament. 

“We're really lucky to have Olivia Clark and Thalia Uilelea, who are both Black Swans and played Pacific Netball Series and at ANC. They've really stepped up and been leading the girls through the camp preparation. 

“Liv is a player who is so calm under pressure. Her accuracy under the post and her timing on court, being able to move and use her change of pace to present at the right time as a really strong option is really impressive and I've really seen her step out of her comfort zone and shell in the last six months. 

“I also coach Thalia for our club and this year she's had a real breakout season. She's got great footwork, good presence and good communication out on court. One of the things I love about her is she knows when to come out of the circle and have a go at those cracking intercepts and she's not afraid to do that. I love seeing the hunt and determination in her.” 

Black Swans aside, George is looking forward to some of the team’s youngsters having their opportunity to stand out. 

Kiarma Ramalli is one in particular who has caught her eye. 

"Kiarma was in the state 17s team this year and she has a level of creativity and netball smarts you can't teach,” she said. 

“She gets out on court and plays it as she sees it. It's really amazing to watch what she can create out on court.” 

Tune in to the First Nations Tournament live and on demand on KommunityTV.