Juggling the dream is key for Parry

By Stephanie Smarrelli 
 

At just 17, Devina Parry is already focused on making her sporting dreams a reality. 

The proud Tiwi Islands and Daly River youngster hopes to make the most of the upcoming pilot First Nations Tournament when she pulls on her dress to represent the Northern Territory. 

"I hope to reach the professional level,” Parry said of her ultimate netball goal. 

“I'm going to go into the tournament with no expectations and just focus on trying new things. 

“It’ll be my first time experiencing something like this.” 

While it will be her first time representing the Northern Territory, she won’t be alone with her sister Allaine set to play alongside her.  

"I’m very excited,” she said at the prospect of playing alongside her sister.  

“It's been a dream for both of us to represent a NT team together and it's finally coming true.” 

A defender by trade, with a strong instinct to hunt down the ball, Parry feels she is the opposite to her sister who prefers to control the midcourt.  

“I love the energy which stems from pushing myself when I’m playing,” she said. 

“Intercepting and turning over the ball as many times as I can.” 

The teenager feels honoured to have been selected to represent the Northern Territory at the pilot tournament. 

“I’m very proud to be representing First Nations people at the tournament,” she said. 

The defender was at school when she received the news from the team’s head coach Michelle Kerrin. 

“Michelle is a mentor at my school, she was able to tell me the news in person while I was there,” she said. 

With her sister alongside her, it’s clear netball runs in the family, but Parry was first given the nudge to try it out by her aunty. 

"My aunty signed me up and mum was also a netballer when she was young,” Parry said recalling when she first fell in love with the game. 

“I started playing in Woolworths NetSetGO for Hoggies Netball Club but have spent the last two years with the Banks Bulldogs,” she said. 

Despite loving the sport, Parry admits it can be difficult to juggle her netball commitments with her life off the court. 

“I have school, work, my family life and sporting side,” Parry said. 

“It’s a balancing act to put them all together and not make myself too overwhelmed,” she said. 

As part of her schooling, the teenager is doing a VET placement working with patients who have dementia. 

Parry enjoys working with the patients despite the challenges it brings. 

"Throughout my life, I’ve always had a passion to help people,” she said reflecting on why she chose the field. 

“It’s part of who I am, I just have this need to help other people and I really enjoy doing that.” 

As anyone who has experienced a family member or close friend living with dementia would know it’s a challenging illness, particularly for someone young to be helping with. 

And Parry admits it’s been confronting to see the patients become agitated while she’s by their side but she’s glad she was able to learn how to best care for them and handle those tough situations. 

“I learned how to approach the patients without making them agitated or startling them but when they have become agitated or startled it has been confronting,” she said. 

"It was good I was educated about dementia before I was put in my work placement, I knew how to approach the patients with calm energy. 

“It’s challenging to try and make them not lash out but I’m glad I’m able to help.” 

She hopes if her elite netball dream doesn’t pan out, she’ll be able to continue helping others around her. 

“Outside of netball, I’d like to get a good job and provide for my family and myself,” she said. 

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