By Stephanie Smarrelli
Queensland have been crowned champions of the inaugural First Nations Tournament.
The team from the sunny state set the tone early with a big win over the ACT, which set the side up for an undefeated run throughout the tournament. The side claimed the crown defeating South Australia in a nail-biting conclusion to the historical weekend of netball.
The pilot event was designed to highlight the talent in netball’s First Nations community from every state and territory.
Queensland set the standard throughout the event. The team’s prowess evident in the Team of the Tournament with four Queenslanders named in the team of seven.
The Team of the Tournament :
GS – Lily Cubby (QLD)
GA – Jayda Grant (NSW)
WA – Tierrah Miller (SA)
C – Jayden Molo (QLD)
WD – Maryke Babia (QLD)
GD - Kiesha Muckan (QLD)
GK – Aaleya Turner (SA)
Queenslander Lily Cubby capped off a great weekend with a Tournament MVP award having shot 75 goals throughout the event at 81 per cent.
Teammate Jayden Molo lit up the court in the side’s Grand Final appearance to be named as the match MVP.
Molo was named Grand Final MVP.Queensland and South Australia were neck and neck throughout the match with the Queenslanders pulling away to take the win.
South Australia was strong throughout the tournament, going through the opening rounds of competition undefeated. Their biggest win came against the Northern Territory on Saturday afternoon, defeating the side by 32 goals.
The Northern Territory was unable to register a win on the weekend, but the team’s positive energy and competitive flair was impressive.
Tasmania came back from a slow start in its final on Sunday to defeat Western Australia while the West Australians registered their best win against the ACT.
The ACT were 28-goal winners against the Northern Territory on the final day, capping their tournament off with a win.
Victoria and NSW battled it out for bronze after some solid performances throughout the weekend with the visitors claiming the bronze medal.
For the full tournament results click here.
Thanks to our partners Visit Victoria and Suncorp for their support.
