By Elizabeth Winter
A year before becoming a part of the inaugural First Nations Black Swans, defender Brook Lacey almost walked away from elite netball.
Instead, a Queensland 19U state selection started a whirlwind year reigniting her love of the sport.
From there, Lacey’s career quickly gathered momentum.
Within months, she found herself representing the inaugural First Nations Black Swans team, winning gold with Queensland at the First Nations Tournament, and stepping into environments she once thought were out of reach.
“So much was happening, it was crazy.” Lacey said.
From just being on the fringes to then be in three different teams in one year, it was pretty mind-boggling to me.
“The Black Swans team was 12 girls. A very small number when you think about it. It was so exciting to be a part of that.”
For Lacey, the significance of the opportunity was not lost on her.
As one of the few athletes selected from pathways across the country, she found herself part of a team built on shared experiences, culture, and connection.
Lacey was part of the inaugural Black Swans team who connected instantly at the 2024 PacificAus Sports Netball Series.
“We all just clicked instantly. We were doing yarning sessions, recovery together. It wasn’t as nerve-wracking on the court, everyone got around each other,” she shared.
“It was very safe and everyone had each other's backs. We still do.”
After two years representing the Black Swans at the PacificAus Sports Netball Series, Lacey is preparing to welcome a new group of athletes into the squad.
"I've been getting to bond with the new girls joining our squad this year. We’re able to show them a culturally safe environment, where we can be ourselves and we don't need to be shaped into this one player,” she explained.
“We can play with our own flair.”
Set to be held during NAIDOC Week, the Spirit Series will celebrate pride, culture and excellence for First Nations women in netball.
The Black Swans opportunities have not only accelerated Lacey’s development as a player but also strengthened her confidence in elite environments.
Lacey looks forward to reconnecting with teammates at the upcoming Spirit Series in Sydney.
“After 2024, my name just started spreading,” she said.
“I went into the Firebirds Futures Academy, and it wasn't as hard to pick up those high-performance behaviours because I was already doing those little one-percenters in the Black Swans environment.”
As well as progressing through Queensland’s Ruby and Sapphire leagues, Lacey has gained valuable experience against international opposition through the Black Swans and PacificAus Sports programs.
In the upcoming Spirit Series, the Black Swans will face the Fiji Pearls, PNG Pepes, and Singapore Vandas, against whom Lacey is looking forward to testing her game.
“Being able to play against their style of flair, it’s different and a good thing to adapt to,” she said.
“Fiji are usually jumping everywhere and the fact that they can do that amazes me – they're all over the court.
“Whereas Singapore are very fast and make you think outside the box for how to play against them.”
With a myriad of achievements under her belt at a young age, one of her favourite moments was claiming gold with Queensland at the inaugural First Nations Tournament.
“Being able to celebrate the hard work of people like Ali Tucker-Munro, our Queensland coach Sharon Finnan-White, and being able to represent what they didn't have when they were playing netball and demonstrating what young Indigenous girls can do. It just felt very special,” she said.
“They really made a pathway for us.”
Lacey was part of the inaugural First Nations Tournament in 2024 where Queensland took gold.
For Lacey, mentors and family are the ones who have kept her in the game.
“My family have always been there for me, encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone. When I wasn’t getting into teams, it really knocked my confidence, but my family were always behind me, pushing me to keep going,” she said.
“I don't think a lot of people understand how much commitment you make for netball, all the training, especially with a full-time job, it's very hard to get into the routine.”
Knowing the challenges of high-performance netball, Lacey wants to continue seeing First Nations athletes on the international stage and expanding outreach to inspire younger players.
“To do more tournaments, for under 16s, under 18s. Especially for that younger age, looking back at myself that's where I was going to drop off,” she said.
Having the pathway for the younger girls as well to fight for, train for, is so important.”
Having already travelled to Indigenous communities across Western Queensland with Black Swans teammates to share her story and promote netball pathways, Lacey is passionate about ensuring the next generation of First Nations players can see a future for themselves in the sport.
The inaugural Spirit Series is taking place between 8-11 July. The tournament will be delivered in partnership with the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports, and proudly supported by the Confident Girls Foundation, Suncorp and Arrpwere.
