By Stephanie Smarrelli
For 14-year-old, Nevaeh Lord netball keeps her connected to her family and culture.
Hailing from Arrernte land, Nevaeh is a proud member of Netball Northern Territory’s Indigenous Netball Academy, where local First Nations netballers hone their skills in an environment prioritising cultural considerations.
“Being in an Indigenous Academy and being around people with the same culture as me is very important,” Nevaeh said.
"It’s really fun, building bonds with different girls and getting to play with them.
“I’m proud to be in the academy and to play with these girls.”
As a goaler for the Sundowners Netball Club in Alice Springs, Nevaeh has not only showcased her talent, she’s earned her team’s coach’s award four years in a row. The training she’s received from the academy program, allowing her to continue to grow her game.
Naeveh is a goal shooter by trade."I’ve learned how to cut in front of a player when you're trying to get the ball,” she said.
As part of developing her craft, she recently travelled to South Australia to take part in the Nunga Netball Carnival, the state’s largest carnival for Indigenous Netballers.
“I was very shocked to be selected for the carnival,” she said.
“There were four training sessions before we went to the carnival (and) they were being used as selections, but I couldn’t get to the first two as I was recovering from having my tonsils removed.
"I did the last two, and following the final session I got a call the next day asking if I wanted to go to the carnival.
“Mum and I were shocked.”
The carnival created unforgettable memories for the teen who instantly connected to her new teammates who were all from various Netball Northern Territory Indigenous Netball Academy programs.
Nevaeh competed in South Australia's Nunga Netball Carnival last month.“We only met the Darwin girls the night before our first game,” she said.
“We all got along, we had no miscommunications, it all worked well."
What made the experience even more special was having her older cousin Kyanne Cardona as the team’s head coach.
“She’s never coached me before, it was really fun,” Naeveh said.
“The girls all loved her and some of the Darwin girls were asking her to move there to coach them.”
Recently, Neaveh and her mum travelled to watch the Origin Diamonds take on the England Roses, giving Nevaeh the chance to see one of her favorite players, Sophie Garbin, in action.
“I really like Sophie Garbin,” Nevaeh said.
Nevaeh was lucky enough to meet her favourite player Sophie Garbin.“How confident she is when she holds her position, gets the ball and shoots.”
The teen hopes one day she’ll follow in Garbin’s footsteps and play in the world’s best league.
“My goal for netball is to one day be a professional player,” she said.
“There’s not many opportunities, it’s inspiring to see First Nations athletes in Suncorp Super Netball."
