NA launches First Nations coaching course

In a first for the sport, Netball Australia is launching a pilot First Nations Coaching Course.

The course is specifically designed for First Nations coaches who are actively coaching within a national sporting organisation or member organisation’s High Performance Pathway Program in Australia.  

Netball Australia and its member organisations are thrilled to pilot the program and are grateful for the assistance and guidance from the several First Nations High Performance (HP) Pathway coaches invited to participate in this program initiative. 

Interim CEO of Netball Australia Stacey West acknowledged the importance of the coaching program. 

“This initiative is an important step in empowering our First Nations coaches and participants across the country,” West said. 

“We’re excited to test this pilot program to evolve the First Nations coaching space using the feedback from the course participants who we thank for their time and willingness to partake in the program.” 

The coaching program pilot will run for six months from February to August 2024 and has been initiated, designed and managed under the guidance and direction of Ali Tucker-Munro, Netball Australia’s First Nations Engagement Lead. 

The course is underpinned by a culturally safe and centred program design that seeks to: 

• Foster culturally safe spaces that promote and supports collaboration opportunities amongst First Nation HP Pathway coaches to grow a ‘First Nations Coaching Community of Practise’ HP coach network 
• Reinforce and centre First Nation’s ways of Knowing, Being, Doing and Thinking, and how, from a strength-based perspective, First Nation culture actively shapes, informs, and influences the coaching practises of First Nation High Performance Pathway coaches 
• Provide First Nations coaches with the opportunity to co-design and co-decide elements of the coaching course. This ensures the Course content is developed in partnership with our First Nation coaching participants to foster an authentic, collaborative and tailored program design.   
• Acknowledge and address the decades long inequity of First Nation HP Pathway coaches at the top levels of netball, and critically, the absence of cultural safety mechanisms and supports available to our First Nation HP Pathway coaches as they actively navigate HP spaces in our game. 
• Share key insights and learnings with member organisations once the pilot is evaluated to assist them to foster and support First Nation coaches aiming to enter HP Pathway programs in their respective State/Territory. 

The following First Nations coaches have accepted an invitation to be a part of the pilot program: 

• Vanessa Dempsey – Netball SA 
• Fiona Geappen – Netball TAS 
• Natalee George – Netball ACT 
• Leona Collins – Netball QLD 
   

South Australian coach Vanessa Dempsey is looking forward to the experience. 

“I am looking forward to connecting with and being a part of this learning journey alongside my fellow Indigenous coaches,” she said.  

“This course is important to set the foundations and pave the way for our future Indigenous coaches. We must be seen, heard and valued for the knowledge, skills and diversity we bring to netball. As a result of Indigenous people having more of a presence at the higher level in netball in Australia the richer we will be and our mob will truly be able to enjoy and feel a part of the sport we love.” 

Netball South Australia CEO Bronwyn Klei acknowledged the importance of the course and lauded South Australian participant Vanessa Dempsey. 

“This program is a significant step towards ensuring netball across the country has meaningful pathways for all, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coaches who are already achieving great things in our sport,” she said. 

“There is so much talent within our First Nations community and this course brings this fact to the fore.” 

“Vanessa Dempsey is a perfect candidate for this course, having had a tremendous impact on netball in South Australia at so many levels” 

“Over her 35 years working in netball, Vanessa has coached in the Netball SA Premier League, is head coach of the Rising Sisters Aboriginal Netball Program, is a key facilitator of the Nunga Netball Carnival, and most recently, she joined the coaching ranks of our 2024 State Teams for the first time.” 

“This course not only offers an opportunity for Vanessa but also opens the doors for those who come after.” 

Likewise, Netball Tasmania CEO Mitch Coulson commended Tasmanian participant Fiona Geappen.  

“Netball Tasmania is thrilled that Fi Geappen has been invited to take part in this new First Nations initiative by Netball Australia,” he said. 

“Fi has had an enormous impact on Netball in Tasmania as both a player and coach and is a fantastic role model and ambassador for her state and her community.” 

Netball Queensland CEO Kate Davies congratulated Queensland participant Leona Collins on her selection. 

“Netball Queensland is excited that Leona has been invited to participate in this pilot which provides an opportunity to hone her already well-developed coaching skills,” Davies said. 

“Importantly, we know that Leona will generously share her experiences and new skills she gains on the program with those who are already alongside, but also those who will come after. 

“Netball Queensland looks forward to embracing the learnings from this pilot and applying them to our high performance pathways in Queensland.” 

Netball ACT CEO Sally Clark said Natalee George’s inclusion was an honour for the ACT netball community.  

“Netball ACT is delighted to have one of our own coaches Natalee George invited into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coaching Community of Practice Course,” Clark said.   

“With only four individuals selected across Australia, this is an honour for both Natalee and the ACT netball community. Natalee is a great role model for other First Nations people in her local community and more broadly across the ACT. Netball ACT would like to thank Netball Australia for providing this opportunity.” 

Netball Australia acknowledges this initiative is one of many steps our sport needs to take to continue to build our relationships with First Nation netball participants across the country. 

The organisation again thanks the First Nation HP Pathway coaches involved in this course and looks forward to listening to their wisdom, experience, insights, and feedback to shape this space moving forward. 

Feature image provided by Netball South Australia.