Paving the way for First Nations athletes

By Stephanie Smarrelli 
 
2024 was a pivotal year for First Nations netballers across Australia. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander netballers, coaches and administrators were supported in opportunities to grow their skills in a culturally safe environment throughout the year. 

With the aim to accelerate growth and co-design equitable opportunities for First Nations communities, Netball Australia embarked on a series of groundbreaking firsts throughout 2024. 

Here’s some of the key initiatives we developed in 2024.  
 

FIRST NATIONS COACHING COURSE 

Netball Australia launched a first of its kind pilot First Nations coaching course. 

The course was designed for First Nations coaches who were actively coaching within a national sporting organisation or member organisation’s high performance pathway program. 

The pilot course ran for six months from February through to August and was designed and managed by Proud Kamilaroi woman and First Nations Engagement Lead Ali Tucker-Munro. 
 
Four coaches from around Australia took part in the course; Vanessa Dempsey, Leona Collins, Fiona Geappen and Natalee George. 

As part of the course, they were accompanied by Tucker-Munro and a small cohort of Netball Australia staff who flew to Fiji to take part in cross-cultural learning with Fijian coaches. 

While there, the Australian First Nations coaches and Fijian coaches were able to build connections and discuss the importance of their respective cultures in informing and enhancing their coaching practices. 

George credited the pilot program to building her confidence as a coach having at times felt a bit of imposter syndrome.  

"Coaching as a First Nations person, sometimes I have felt I'm really different to other coaches,” she said.  

“But what Ali has reminded me of through the course is everyone sees the game differently and that's okay. 

“It's one of the biggest lessons I've taken away. It's okay to see things differently and to not be like the other coaches. There’s value and strength I bring to the ACT and the coaching environment.”  

Following the conclusion of the pilot program, George went on to coach ACT’s First Nations Team at the pilot First Nations Tournament in September, alongside Dempsey (SA) and Geappen (TAS) who also took the helm for their respective states. 

 

THE BLACK SWANS 

The creation of the Black Swans marked a pivotal moment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander netballers across Australia in 2024. 

For the first time, young First Nations netballers were able to see not just one or two First Nations athletes in a high performance environment, but an entire squad. 

Making their debut at the Pacific Netball Series in June 2024, the Black Swans were given the opportunity to showcase their talent and represent their culture and community on an international stage. 
 
And it’s at the Pacific Netball Series next month, the Black Swans will take to the court for the first time in 2025 set to take on reigning champions Tonga as well as Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and first-time invitees the Scottish Thistles. 

 
The Black Swans were created as part of Netball Australia’s commitment to provide more equitable and accelerated opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander netballers.  

Tucker-Munro led the charge in creating the Black Swans and was named as the team’s inaugural coach.  

She was integral to the team’s success throughout 2024 and was joined by Dempsey as assistant coach.   

The team was named the Black Swans as Black Swans are indigenous to Australia and feature in many Dreaming stories across various First Nations language groups. 

Black Swans also possess a range of attributes including; uniqueness, rareness, moving with grace, dignity, loyalty, protectiveness and commanding attention. These are some of the attributes reflected in the athletes who were invited to represent their culture, countries and communities in the inaugural team. 
 
Speaking ahead of last year’s Pacific Netball Series, Black Swan Lily Cubby was excited by the opportunity to be part of Australian netball’s inaugural First Nations team. 
 
“They’ve made it feel very welcoming and a culturally safe environment,” Cubby said.  

“It’s an environment not many of us have had the opportunity to be part of, especially in a First Nations team.  

“I'm really looking forward to us girls being given an opportunity to show our talent, I don't really think it's been able to be showcased in the past.” 

Cubby and her teammates made history when they took to the court debuting against the Tonga Tala.  

Although Tonga were (eventual) four-time champions and ranked eighth in the world, the Black Swans put on a brilliant display of netball. They lost the opening game of the tournament by 12 goals but won the hearts of all watching. 

With the first game nerves out of the way, the Black Swans' connection was magnetic during the remaining rounds of the competition.  

Their first win coming against Singapore marking the start of what became a four-game winning streak also defeating Fiji, Namibia and Samoa. 
 
The team’s run came to an end when they faced Singapore again on the final day. Despite losing a nail-biting match, the Black Swans well and truly made their mark.  
 
With one competition under their belt, the Black Swans took flight again two months later at the Australian Netball Championships. 

Going head-to-head with the NSW Waratahs, Capital Darters and Territory Storm the Black Swans held their own, finishing the tournament with a bronze medal after winning their final match against the Territory Storm. 
 

DR. EVE FESL FIRST NATIONS BLACK SWAN AWARD 

A standout throughout the year, Black Swan Scarlet Jauncey was named as the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Eve Fesl First Nations Black Swans Award. 

The award was a new addition to the Australian Netball Awards in 2024, recognising Jauncey as a First Nations national team player who, throughout the year demonstrated high standards of integrity and high-performance behaviours, as well as significant cultural leadership. 

The defender was filled with gratitude as she was announced as the award’s inaugural winner. 

“It means everything to me,” Jauncey said. 

“I can’t even put into words how much it means for me and this team, my family, my community and all of the young Indigenous boys and girls playing netball.” 

She also touched on the importance of the Black Swans and other First Nations netball programs. 

“The Black Swans program is really important for the future,” she said. 

“To see Indigenous boys and girls coming up through the program and eventually making SSN and Origin Diamonds teams will be great.” 

The award received by Jauncey, was named after Dr. Eve Fesl OAM, who was a respected Senior Elder of both the Gubbi Gubbi nation and the Gungulu nation. Dr Fesel was also a former Queensland representative netballer who went on to become the first Indigenous Australian to receive a PhD from an Australian university. 

Naming the Black Swans award after Dr. Fesl reflected Netball Australia’s commitment to highlighting the significant visibility, voice and value on the important contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made and continue to make to the sport.
 

FIRST NATIONS TOURNAMENT 

In September, history was made again with Netball Australia piloting a First Nations Tournament. 

The pilot featured under-23 aged teams from every state and territory across three days of fierce competition. 

The tournament put First Nations athletes in the spotlight, showcasing their deadly talent in a culturally safe environment.  

Some of the athletes captured the eyes of the Black Swans selectors and off the back of the tournament have been named in the 2025 squad, with the opportunity to compete at the Pacific Netball Series now on their horizon. 

Many of these talented First Nations netballers may have continued to fly under the radar and not had opportunities to demonstrate their skills. The tournament served as a significant platform to showcase their abilities and boost their profiles.  

Many of the 2024 Black Swans took to the court for their respective states and territories throughout the weekend, and many were named in the First Nations Tournament’s inaugural team of the tournament. Netball Australia’s First Nations Engagement Manager Beryl Friday is excited by the group of athletes who will continue the Black Swans legacy during 2025.  

“We have some of our original Black Swans back - those who have been consistent across tournaments this year, but I am very excited for our new names,” Friday said. 

“Some of these players were selected from tremendous performances at the First Nations Tournament and naturally they will continue to grow their craft in our culturally safe environment.”  

From the 20 athletes selected in the 2025 Black Swans squad, 15 will be chosen in the team who will compete at this year’s Pacific Netball Series next month from February 17 to 22.