The Victorian First Nations State Netball Team has taken another important step in its preparation for the 2026 First Nations Netball Tournament. The team came together in Traralgon for a positive pre-season camp weekend that brought players, staff and community members together through cultural connection, community engagement and high-performance preparation.
Made possible through State Government and Latrobe City Council funding, the inaugural First Nations pre-season camp balanced elite preparation with opportunities to connect both on and off the court.
A highlight of the weekend was the Community Clinic, attended by 17 local children and supported by First Nations State Team players who helped participants build skills, confidence and connection to the game.
The squad also completed a training session and match against the East Gippsland Region Team, giving players a valuable competitive hit-out as part of their preparation.
Head Coach Lee Bevan-Woodley said the weekend reinforced the positive energy already building within the group, while also providing an important opportunity to connect with community and continue showing young First Nations athletes what is possible.
“The match-up against East Gippsland Region was great preparation for us. We were able to work on different combinations and bring players back into the group who were part of the First Nations Black Swans Team at the recent Spirit Series,” Bevan-Woodley said.
We’ve brought in some exciting new talent from our regional trials, and we’ve also had some big names return, including Anna Solomon and Holly Stephens.”
“Anna has been our inaugural captain from the very beginning, and she continues to show incredible leadership and pride in the team.”
Bevan-Woodley said expectations were high for the Victorian First Nations State Team as preparations continue.
“We’ve reached the bronze medal match every year and fallen just short a few times, so this year we’re really focused on pushing further,” she said.
“From what we saw in the match, and particularly across the weekend, we’re excited about what this group can achieve. It doesn’t feel like pushing further is out of reach.”
“The biggest thing in our community is ‘to be is to see’, so having the team visible in the community and supporting clinics like this is really important. The feedback was really positive and after the simulation match it was great to see the impact the team had, with local kids lining up for autographs. It just shows what can happen when young people can see strong role models in front of them.”
On Saturday night, Anna Solomon and Holly Stephens were announced as co-captains of the Victorian First Nations State Team, bringing experience, leadership and strong connection to the group as it continues its preparation.
The 2026 First Nations Netball Tournament will be held at the State Netball Centre in Parkville, Melbourne, this September.
Victorian First Nations State Team
Allirah Kerr – GunaiKurnai / Palawa
Anna Solomon – Dunghutti / Ngarigo Monero (Co-captain)
Ashlee Hyde – Wambaia
Brigitte Demamiel – Wiradjuri
Chloe Eyre – Wamba Wamba
Djura Weston – Yorta Yorta / Warlpiri
Holly Stephens – Kurnai (Co-captain)
Keely Kinsey – Wadawurrung
Manon Muir – Boon Wurrung
Olivia Spence – Marra
Tully Bethune – Wiradjuri
Tylah McCleish – Kaprun
Training Partner
Tilly Thorpe-Calgaret
Academy
Summer Atkinson
Violet Corrie
Zioni Garling-Mathyssen
Officials
Head Coach: Lee Bevan-Woodley
Assistant Coach: Rachael Paterson
Team Manager: Fiona Hale
Physiotherapist: Jackson Casey
Strength &Conditioning Coach: Rushi Patel
