Tassie icon leading from the front

By Matt Fotia 

The members of Tasmania’s inaugural First Nations side shouldn’t have any complaints about their coaches’ credentials.  

Head Coach Fiona Geappen (nee Doran) is one of Tasmanian netball’s finest products. 

Having risen through the Tasmanian underage ranks, Geappen represented Australian at Under 19 and Under 21 level before carving out a career in the national league, most notably playing with the Adelaide Ravens, Melbourne Kestrels and the 2002 Commonwealth Bank Trophy winning Melbourne Phoenix. 

Geappen was a part of the Tasmanian Open Team from 1992 to 2001 captaining the side from ’95 onwards.  

In 2019 she was inducted into the Netball Tasmania Hall of Fame. 

But it wasn’t just Tasmania Geappen was representing on the national stage. As a proud Palawa woman, she was an Indigenous trailblazer in the professional game.  

Unfortunately, Geappen was never truly comfortable flying that flag during her playing days. 

 “When I was playing it was almost like you didn’t want to say you were Indigenous,” Geappen explained. 

“Ali Tucker-Munro and I played together, and we knew each other’s heritage, but without sounding weird she looks more Indigenous, so people probably assumed, but people wouldn’t have looked at me the same way. 

“You were almost afraid to say you were (Indigenous) because people would say ‘as if’. 

Fortunately, Geappen believes a generational shift is occurring. 

“Education on the topic is so different nowadays,” Geappen said. 

“Now there’s a real proudness about tradition, your family is important to you and knowing where they’ve come from is just huge.” 

She need not look far for proof of this shift. 

Daughter Abbey, who is showing signs of following in her mother’s impressive footsteps on the court, has not suffered the same type of imposter syndrome symptoms. 

“I’m a lot more confident than mum,” Abbey stated. 

“It doesn’t really bother me, if you’re Indigenous, you’re Indigenous. 

“It doesn’t change anything, it’s just who you are.” 

The Geappen’s are part of the Pinterrairer tribe, which hails from northeast Tasmania, and are related to Fanny Cochrane-Smith, considered to be the last ever fluent speaker of both the Flinders Island lingua franca and the Tasmanian languages.  

Fiona and her family have all become more engrossed in their heritage since the passing over her mother several years ago. 

“My mum passed away eight years ago, and I think I wasn’t as aware, or engaged, with my Indigenous heritage when she was here, it’s as if I’ve become more interested in it since she’s been gone,” Geappen said. 

“It’s become a bigger part of my life as I’ve gotten older, and it’s probably been the same for Abbey. 

Abbey Geappen wasn’t around to watch any of her Mum’s netball career. 

But she’s heard plenty about it. 

“I don’t remember much of her playing, but I love hearing what people say about her,” Abbey said. 

“Recently for (Tasmania) Wild, we went to Melbourne for some Vixens’ trainings and a couple of the coaches were all over me asking if my mum was Fiona Doran, which was a real eye opener.” 

The stories Abbey has heard have established one thing for certain. Her mum left no stone unturned. 

“I know how hard mum worked to accomplish what she did, and it’s always nice to listen and learn from her,” Abbey said. 

“I wouldn’t be so involved in netball without mum. It’s something we do together and is one of the reasons we’re so close. 

“I love it, I’m so proud.” 

Premierships and playing opportunities weren’t the only gifts netball brought into Fiona Geappen’s life. 

Ever since she stepped into the AIS on a live-in scholarship in 1992, friendships and relationships have blossomed at every turn. 

It was those connections, and an everlasting passion for Tasmanian netball, which pulled Geappen into the coaching ranks. 

“To get those opportunities to challenge myself, especially coming from Tasmania, and make connections for life with people, is something I’ll always be grateful for, and I’ll always be proud,” Geappen said. 

“I really enjoy coaching and trying to provide opportunities for kids here to challenge themselves and see how far they can take their netball. 

“I’ve got an understanding of how hard it is to take the next step and get those opportunities, I know what it feels like to be the person from a regional area.” 

Opportunities are still presenting themselves for Geappen though. 

She is one of four Indigenous coaches to take part in Netball Australia’s pilot First Nations Coaching Course this year, which included an eye-opening trip to Fiji. 

“The culture side of listening to the Fijian people and their netball challenges and their family backgrounds was amazing. We were in tears most days,” Geappen explained. 

“It brought home even more the understanding the importance of where you come from and being proud of it.” 

Geappen was a crafty wing attack in her prime, with speed and finesse her strong suits, and sees several eerily similar traits in her daughter’s game. 

“She’s a weapon,” Geappen stated. 

“She’s a really team oriented kid who always brings out the best in people with her energy. 

“She’s a left-handed wing attack like me, which is a bit scary, and every time Ali (Tucker-Munro) sees her she’s like ‘oh my god’.” 

Abbey believes the comparison is based purely in body language. 

“I’ve heard it a fair few times down the track,” she explained. 

“I think it’s just our mannerisms and the way we move on the court.” 

The pair will no doubt hear more about their similarities at this weekend’s inaugural First Nations Tournament. 

Tasmania is set to bring a talented, albeit young, squad to the competition which includes Sophie Brewer, who was a member of the Black Swans squad which competed at the Australian Netball Championships in Canberra last month. 

Geappen is hopeful her young chargers embrace the challenges which await them. 

“We’re very lucky we’ve got ten state league athletes in our squad,” Geappen said. 

“They’re all aged between 16-18, but they’re fit, work hard and are involved in all our high-performance programs, so hopefully they’ll enjoy the netball side of it and the challenge it represents for them.” 

Abbey, who has represented Tasmania at Under 15, Under 17 and Under 19 level, says the tournament has a different feel to other competitions she has played in. 

“I’m excited, because it’s another great opportunity for the girls to go away and perform on a national stage,” Abbey explained. 

“It’s got a different feeling (this tournament) though, I’m not as nervous. 

“It’s not that it isn’t important, but it just has the feeling of being a real celebration. 

“It’ll be a good opportunity to learn more about everyone’s heritage and experiences.” 

Fiona echoed her daughter’s sentiment. 

“This tournament is celebrating our heritage, as much as the netball, I think it’ll be a little bit more relaxed than your normal national tournament,” Geappen said. 

“There’s nothing to be hiding, there will be no imposter syndrome here. 

“It’ll hit home one day we were a part of the inaugural First Nations tournament.”