‘Tricked’: Miller on netball journey

By Stephanie Smarrelli
 

If it weren’t for Tierrah Miller’s mum’s sneaky tactics, things could have been very different. 

But as the old-age saying goes, you are exactly where you’re meant to be – even if it took a little white lie to get there. 
 
“I was tricked into playing netball,” Miller said. 

OR... you could say. 

Mums often know what’s best. 

And Tierrah Miller knows that only too well. 

“I was 10 years old and always wanted to be a soccer player but one day my mum took me for a drive to the netball courts," she said.
 
“I gave in, she taught me only one rule before I hit the court and then I realised I was good and fell in love with it.” 

Fourteen years later, the proud Yamatji and Noongar woman is gearing up to represent Australia and her culture in the First Nations Invitational national team, the Black Swans at the PacificAus Sports Netball Series. 
 
“I’m excited because it's history,” she said. 

“The whole team is full of Indigenous girls from all over Australia and that makes it more exciting. 

“I got to play alongside them and we all have something in common we can relate to." 

It means a lot to the 24-year-old who wants to inspire others. 
 
“You don't see a lot of Indigenous netballers go through the pathway,” she said. 

"There's been a few, you’ve got Donnell Wallam and Leesa Mi Mi then there’s the likes of Ali Tucker-Munro and Sharon Finnan-White and Marcia Ella Duncan. 

“It's a lot for me to represent that because we see a lot of girls try to go through the pathway, but they have barriers, it's really difficult to get through to the next step in netball. 

"It means a lot representing them and not just my community but First Nations netballers all over Australia as well.”  

Looking towards the PacificAus Sports Netball Series, there’s one team she’s got on her mind but not because the side has dominated the competition over the years. 

“It would have to be Tonga,” she said. 

“But only because their captain Hulita Veve has experience playing in Suncorp Super Netball. 

“She's got so much experience, it would be good to see how I match up against her if I get the chance to step on the court. 

“I learn a lot from those experienced athletes, it’s not every day you get an opportunity to play against someone of that calibre.” 

Miller reflected on how challenging her own netball journey has been. 

“I've had a rollercoaster journey through my netball,” she said.  

“I didn't make any of the state team selections, they were quite devastating at the time to not be selected while knowing you have talent and you're a good athlete. 

"It can really set you back and you drop your confidence but that’s my journey, the highs and the lows. 

"You get back on your two feet, keep going and fight for what you love.” 

Miller caught the attention of the Black Swans selectors at the 2024 First Nations Tournament. 

An opportunity the midcourter didn’t see coming. 

Despite being a West Australian, she donned the colours of South Australia. 

The opportunity to represent SA presenting itself to her through her relationship with South Australian head coach Vanessa Dempsey. 

The two met at South Australia’s annual Aboriginal Netball Carnival and having seen Miller’s skills firsthand the coach reached out to see if she’d be interested. 

The midcourter assumed she was too old for the tournament with it being for First Nations athletes 23 years of age and younger but each team had one exemption up their sleeve and Dempsey wanted to give SA’s one to her. 

Financially money was a problem for the 24-year-old but with Netball SA able to cover the cost, Miller didn’t have to think twice.  

"It was the first time there’s ever been a First Nations Tournament Australia-wide for netball, I wanted to be part of that,” she said. 

“I wasn't bothered about winning or wanting gold. 

“It was about making memories and having fun.” 

Miller had no intentions of standing out while at the tournament, but the SA team finished second and Miller made the most of her opportunity on court. 

“It was amazing," she said. 

“I ended up getting wing attack in the team of the tournament.  

“I had no intentions of ever winning it, but it was really fun.” 

The tournament becoming one of Miller’s favourite memories. 

Because she had taken a three-year break from following the netball pathways after feeling stuck in her progression at a state league level. 

Her other cherished netball memory goes back 10 years. 

“We had Indigenous All Stars compete in the Netball Academy Cup here in West Australia and we ended up taking out the division two,” she said. 

“Considering we didn’t have any training together; we ended up winning so it stands out.” 

The 24-year-old is currently employed full time in a government role and has a tough time juggling her netball commitments with work, but she’s determined to always find time to represent her community. 

“When there’s NAIDOC netball carnivals, I play in those every year in July here,” she said. 

“Then I like to go to South Australia to play in their Aboriginal Netball, Football Carnival every October.”  
 

The First Nations Invitational national team, the Black Swans are proudly supported by the Confident Girls Foundation.