Written by: Amelia Barnes
Increasing diversity to ensure netball is a safe space for all is a top priority of both Netball Victoria and RACV.
Among initiatives to improve representation of minorities is the inaugural Victorian Netball League (VNL) First Nations Round supported by RACV, commencing Wednesday June 1 2022.
The VNL is lucky to have several First Nations players including Ngarigo Monero and Dunghutti woman Anna Solomon, and Kurnai woman Holly Stephens, who both play for the Casey Demons. Stephens plays in the 19/Under team, while Solomon is a training partner with the 19/Under squad.
“Coming to Casey Demons as a first year player and Indigenous person I have felt more than welcomed and supported,” Solomon said. “Being very nervous and unsure of this new environment, I came to realise quite quickly that all the people at Casey Demons Netball have such a passion for success and strive for growth in each individual who is involved with the club.”
To have a dedicated round for celebrating First Nations peoples’ heritage, culture, and achievements is meaningful and exciting for players. The round is also important for encouraging more First Nations athletes and officials to participate in netball, and for non-First Nations people to learn more about different cultures.
“Learning about the significance of our Indigenous people and the country we live in is something that will always need improving,” Solomon said. “[By] targeting this sporting avenue filled with young people, the First Nations round creates an opportunity for the upcoming generations and current players to learn more about Indigenous culture and our own Australian history.”
Stephens hopes the round will also highlight the many barriers and issues First Nations people continue to face today. “I want to see First Nations people recognised and celebrated, as well as to see a lot of education throughout this round as people really don’t see the struggles that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people still face.”
Solomon and Stephens don’t see it as their duty or role to represent all First Nations people, but hope their inclusion in the VNL shows others what is possible in the sport. “I hope that other Indigenous Australians see myself and the other First Nations people playing in the VNL or in elite netball competitions and feel as though they can do the same and be embraced,” Stephens said.
To improve the representation of First Nations people in all stages of netball, both players point to demystifying the pathways and providing better access to training, competitions, and trials outside of metropolitan areas.
Stephens was aware of opportunities in the sport from a young age thanks to her mother’s close involvement with the local club, however, Solomon was usually reliant on friends to pass on this valuable information.
“I would only find out about tryouts and higher-level competitions through close friends. Having that lack of information for the Indigenous community was probably the first barrier I understood that First Nations people faced,” Solomon said.
Since coming into the Casey Demons environment, Solomon has been made aware of even more options available to her as a player. “I’ve had a lot of support from the club applying for scholarships and funding support that has helped me overcome some barriers including travel and uniform.”
In addition to having a VNL First Nations Round, Solomon would love to see more integration of Indigenous names, designs, and leaders at all levels of the sport to signify their year-round contribution. “Seeing these things firsthand will be very inspiring for the younger Indigenous talent to look forward to, but to also feel culturally safe and supported in their netball.”
Stephens recommends having more netball officials involved in Aboriginal state carnivals to further identify and nurture upcoming talent. "Netball pathways are hard to navigate for anyone. Finding Aboriginal community members to help assist with these pathways, and most importantly, Netball Victoria employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people to work with community [would be beneficial].”
As players, both Solomon and Stephens are striving to become the best netballers they can possibly be. Stephens in particular hopes to one day follow in the footsteps of Noongar woman, Donnell Wallam, currently playing in Suncorp Super Netball (SSN).
“She is one of the two [contracted] Indigenous players in the SSN and in her first national league season she has gotten selected for the Diamonds. She is an inspiration to many First Nations netballers.”
The VNL First Nations Round is proudly supported by RACV. Livestream select VNL games on the Netball Victoria Facebook page and via Kayo Sports.
