By Sophie Taylor
Ayden McCleish’s netball journey has always seemed inevitable.
With parents who played and coached, and three siblings who also play netball, it was more a question of ‘when’ he would play, than ‘if’.
An Altona and Hoppers Crossing junior, McCleish first picked up a netball at age six and hasn’t looked back.
That pathway has included international underage representation, playing for Australia in the 2026 Pacific Horizon Cup, an annual competition against New Zealand.
This year was his first full squad selection, following development and reserves selection in 2024 and 2025, all off the back of his participation in the 17/U Victorian team – as a bottom-aged 15-year-old.
“Netball’s pretty much my life,” McCleish said.
“Most days of the week I'm doing something around netball, either playing or umpiring.
“I played footy last year and went back-to-back footy premiers, but this year was the first year I really committed to netball.”
While initially focused on his playing pathway, McCleish has turned his sights to umpiring, too.
The 15-year-old is set to umpire his second First Nations Tournament next week following a remarkable rise through the Victorian pathway.
A last-minute call-up to officiate the 2025 First Nations Tournament propelled McCleish into taking his umpiring more seriously.
“Part of where I am now on my umpiring journey is because of my sister, Tylah,” he said.
“She signed up to trial to play in the First Nations Tournament last year and had put her umpiring experience down, too.”
When his sister was unable to umpire the tournament due to school commitments, McCleish earned the call-up.
“Cathy [Gallop] reached out to my dad, knowing I am an umpire as well, and from there I was a back-up for last year's tournament and then lucky enough to get that call up.”
McCleish credits his progression through the umpiring pathways to last year’s First Nations Tournament.
“Last year when I got the phone call I was only a C Badge, so getting that call to umpire a national event was unexpected,” he said.
“I was only 14 at that point, so it was really cool.”
McCleish has now progressed to earning his National B Badge certification and is looking forward to officiating his second First Nations Tournament – this time as an official member of the umpiring squad.
He’s feeling more prepared this time around.
“I'm feeling confident, and knowing a few of the umpires that will be there will be good,” he said.
“I can only control the effort I put in and the attitude I have out on court… knowing more about it and what to expect has helped.”
For McCleish and his family, the First Nations Tournament has been an important bridge to the learning journey they are still on today regarding their own heritage.
They are still connecting the dots of their First Nations roots, with mum, Renee, having traced her great grandfather’s lineage to Kaprun Country in Boulder, Western Australia.
The family’s connection to Kaprun has been impacted by past silence and separation but they are working hard to put the missing pieces back together.
Now based in Victoria, the McCleish family are expanding how they connect to country; learning about their mob from afar and cultivating greater connection with community.
“Being able to represent my community and where we come from means a lot,” he said.
“Not everyone gets to do it and represent at levels like this, it’s a really good opportunity.
“Especially this one, it's a celebration of culture, talent and connection to community.”
