Netball Australia and National Indigenous Television (NITV) have announced a new broadcast partnership that will make every match of netball’s annual First Nations Tournament available to watch for free, giving fans across Australia greater access to one of the country’s leading celebrations of First Nations netball.
The partnership will provide a significant platform for First Nations athletes and communities, increasing the visibility of their talent while sharing the stories, culture and connections that sit at the heart of the tournament.
Fans will be able to watch every match for free, with pool rounds and playoff matches broadcast across SBS On Demand and YouTube from Wednesday 16 September. Sunday’s medal matches will be the first in the tournament’s history to be broadcast free-to-air, live on NITV from 11:30am AEST on 20 September.
For Netball Australia, the partnership represents an important step in creating greater opportunities and visibility for First Nations Australians through netball. It also reflects a strong alignment with NITV, whose commitment to telling First Nations stories and creating opportunities for First Nations Australians is shared by the sport’s national governing body.
Netball Australia CEO Mark Falvo said the partnership would help ensure First Nations athletes have the platform and profile they deserve.
“Visibility matters. This partnership gives First Nations athletes an exciting platform to showcase their talent, their stories and the quality netball being played across our communities,” Falvo said.
“We’re proud to partner with NITV, an organisation that shares our commitment to growing opportunities for First Nations Australians, and we’re excited that this partnership will give fans free access to every match.”
Netball Australia General Manager, First Nations and proud Kamilaroi woman Ali Tucker-Munro said the agreement would help the tournament reach a broader audience while celebrating the strength and diversity of First Nations netball.
“The First Nations Tournament is more than a competition. It is a celebration of our culture, community and the extraordinary netball talent that we know exists across our Nations,” Tucker-Munro said.
“With every match available free to audiences nationwide, we're creating a platform where our deadly First Nations women and girls can shine, and where our stories, achievements and leadership can be seen, supported and celebrated.
“Through our partnership with NITV, we're not only expanding access to the tournament, but we’re also helping inspire future generations whilst strengthening the legacy of First Nations participation and excellence in netball.”
NITV Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production Dena Curtis said:
“This partnership is an exciting opportunity to celebrate Blak excellence in women’s sport and showcase the incredible Indigenous athletes from across Australia to a national audience.
“When First Nations women and girls see athletes who reflect their communities celebrated on screen, it sends a powerful message about what is possible and the place they have in Australian sport.
“We’re proud to partner with Netball Australia to bring these athletes, their stories and their talent to audiences across the country, and to create greater opportunities for First Nations voices to be seen and heard.”
Since its inception in 2024, the annual First Nations Tournament continues to play an important role in Netball Australia’s commitment to strengthening pathways and opportunities for First Nations athletes, while celebrating the contribution of First Nations people to the sport.
The First Nations Tournament is delivered in partnership with the Confident Girls Foundation, the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria, Suncorp and Priceline Pharmacy, with support from the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation.
