By Sophie Taylor
For some, netball is a weekend game played with friends.
For Northern Territory talent and proud Arrernte and Kaytetye woman Ruby Mack, it’s so much more.
“Mum put me straight into it, I didn't do NetSetGO or anything,” Mack said.
“I just loved it. I was there every weekend, 8am outside playing netball with my team.”
Hailing from Alice Springs in Central Australia, the young goaler is set to make her third appearance in the Northern Territory 17/U team – a remarkable feat, considering she will not turn 17 until July.
Beyond her undeniable underage experience, Mack offers great smarts, a willingness to try new things and, most importantly, passion.
“Being able to be in this NT team for the past couple of years is just crazy to me,” Mack said.
“The first year I tried out, I didn't even think I'd get to phase two. So when I found out I made the team, it was just so unreal.
“Playing against all the great girls from the other states is just awesome and such a good opportunity.”
Both Mack sisters will play together in the NT 17/U team this year.Mack says the opportunity means even more to her in 2024, with younger sister Jessie also named in the 17/U squad.
“I just can't wait to share something like this with her,” Mack said.
Nationals is not the only netball experience the sisters have achieved together, with the duo making the move to Townsville in northern Queensland to take hold of a rare opportunity to trial for the Sharon Finnan-White First Nations Academy of Excellence.
“Last year, my sister sent me a link and she was like, ‘fill this out, it's the last day today’. So I submitted it (the application), and then we got a call two days later from Sharon Finnan-White,” Mack said.
“We came and trialled in October with a bunch of amazing, young girls… they told us right after trials that we had made it so we'd have more time to organise our flights.”
A program designed to support young Indigenous netballers, the academy has provided Mack and her younger sister an opportunity to develop their skills and build connections with other young First Nations girls.
That last-minute submission really kicked things into gear for Mack, who was full of positives about the Academy and her peers.
“We just understand each other, better than if it was just a normal team,” Mack explained. “It’s like we have a deeper connection. I think it is really special that we do have an all-indigenous team like this.
“It’s such a good program and pathway for young Indigenous girls, and I really like it.”
Mack is excited for her third Nationals appearance.A self-confessed netball lover, it’s no wonder Mack was excited to be part of the academy.
“My favourite netball player in the world is Jo Harten,” Mack said.
“I knew that from the moment I saw her playing in the 2018 England and Australia Commonwealth Games gold medal match. That was my favourite game.
“I know Australia lost but I was going for England because of Jo, because I just loved watching her.”
Also up there are Donnell Wallam and Academy founder, Sharon Finnan-White.
“Donnell’s such a good role model to have. Not just as an indigenous woman, but just as a woman in general,” Mack said.
“She's awesome and her story is really great. Sharon Finnan-White was also a very good netball player. She's absolutely amazing. I love the program she's running.”
Watch all National Netball Championships matches live and on demand on KommunityTV.
