Regional town’s linkage between netball and culture

By Stephanie Smarrelli 

Sport is the heartbeat of every regional town.  

And that sentiment certainly rings true in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley. 

Close to 200km north of Melbourne on the Goulburn River lies Shepparton. A regional city where netball plays a pivotal role not only for the town, but also for its First Nations community. 

During the week more than 130 students from Greater Shepparton Secondary College took part in a netball clinic, with the support of Visit Victoria, Netball Australia and Netball Victoria. 

The purpose? To grow participation in an area. The clinic was designed to provide local students, many of which identify as First Nations, the opportunity to develop their skills with the support of local coaches from Shepparton Netball Association, as well as Origin Diamonds Kate Moloney and Jo Weston. 

While the students had their fun, there were a couple of individuals in attendance who are regular fixtures at the local club. 

BEHIND THE LENS 

While the sounds of whistles and shoes hitting the pavement are a regular feature at Shepparton Netball Association, so is the clicking sound of local photographer Tanya Garling’s camera. 

A proud Tjapukai Torres Strait Islander woman raised in Shepparton on Yorta Yorta country, Garling has been involved in the local netball community since childhood. 

At the same time, she was learning to pick up a netball, she also picked up a camera. 

“I used to steal my dad's camera and take photos, but it was back when you had film and you had to get it developed so there'd be many undeveloped films (laying) around because I was a child and I needed a parent to pay for the film,” she said. 

“I enjoy capturing moments…I think that's why I went into sports photography to capture moments that weren't predetermined.” 

Wandering around photographing Wednesday’s netball clinic, it was clear she has had a huge impact on the community.  

“I've been here all my life, I've always been involved with the community. I’m involved in community clubs and utilise our Aboriginal organisations, so I've got a strong connection here,” she said.  

Garling explained her connection with many of the coaches and children goes back to her local club Rumbalara Football Netball Club where she also delved into sports photography for the first time. 

“I was president at Rumbalara years ago and wanted to put together an annual report. The issue was I didn’t have any images to put in the report so that’s how I started,” she said. 

“I've got two kids playing sport and nieces and nephews, so after the annual report it started off just as taking photos of my children and family and it's expanded from there." 

Garling shares her photos with the parents of the athletes she photographs as well as the club's social media accounts.  

Reflecting on the clinic, Garling touched on the importance of bringing netball clinics to regional communities.  

“It provides access to different training and pathways, the children and staff are meeting people from Netball Victoria, Netball Australia and Origin Diamonds athletes who you wouldn't usually meet on the weekends at your regional football netball clubs,” she said.  

“The players have been fantastic, they've engaged with the children here…it feels like an achievable pathway to be an Origin Diamond when they're seen in real life and not just on TV. A lot of these children will walk away from today aspiring to be playing at a higher level.” 

Working in the inclusion space, Garling took the day off to spend time with her netball community. 

“I took a day off work today to be immersed in our community. I like to have these community connections and I felt it was an opportunity that I couldn't turn down so had to say yes to,” she said.  

AN IMPORTANT ROLE MODEL 

One of the friendly faces in the Shepparton netball community Garling pointed out was Rumbalara Football Netball Club coach Jessica Bamblett. 

A proud Yorta Yorta, Warlpiri, Wiradjuri, and Gunditjmara woman Bamblett's been coaching netball at Rumbalara for six years and has guided athletes from junior competitions to A Grade.  

She started playing netball when she was 12 and continues to regularly take to the court for Rumbalara, mostly in the GK bib, when she isn't coaching. 

For Bamblett netball is a family affair, the 38-year-old's passion passing down to her daughters.  

“I was playing seven months pregnant with my daughter Jaydah who's now a teenager when my team won my league Grand Final,” she said. 

“It's very special because from that moment I knew she was going be a netballer. She was always around netball while I was playing and it's special because I got to play my first A Grade game with her this year.” 

Bamblett reflected on how much it means to her to be able to show her daughters first-hand what is possible to achieve in sport. 

“It's special to have these girls watching me, seeing what I can do on the court and as a coach,” she said. 

The defender touched on the feeling of a true community connection at her club and how she loves her First Nations culture being at the forefront alongside different cultures.  

“Rumbalara isn’t just a First Nations' club, it's very diverse with lots of different cultures celebrated but it's true to us because it's a place we call home,” she said. 

“Everyone knows everyone and it's a family hub and it being predominately First Nations based teams is great. I love Rumbalara, even though I am originally from Melbourne, my Dad's from Shepparton and it's my home, I love the club for what it is.” 

Reflecting on the clinic, Bamblett was grateful for the experience. 

"Shepparton is a country town, it's amazing having something this big come to us,” she said. 

“It's a good opportunity for all these students to actually see what hard work can do from Jo and Kate. Having Origin Diamonds players visit and seeing how they associate with the kids is a pretty special experience for all these students.” 

As part of the clinic Visit Victoria donated all the goal post pads, balls, bibs and cones used throughout the clinic to help the local netball community in Shepparton. 

A gift, Bamblett was thankful for. 

 “With country netball every little thing helps so it's pretty amazing to have the equipment donated. It's very unique and more country towns need support like this we all really appreciate it,” she said.