Victoria’s First Nations team is set to compete in Netball Australia’s inaugural First Nations tournament this week. The team will hold a home-court advantage, where under-23 aged teams from every state and territory will be competing at Victoria’s home of netball, the State Netball Centre.
Here’s everything you need to know:
WHEN & WHERE
Friday 13 – Sunday 15 September
State Netball Centre, Naarm/Melbourne
TICKETS
The 2024 First Nations Tournament will be open and free to the public.
HOW TO WATCH
Every match of the tournament will be livestreamed on KommunityTV. Subscription required (access is free for existing Herald Sun subscribers).
MATCH CENTRE & LADDER
You can keep up with the live scores and ladder positions through PlayHQ, and stay up to date with the Victorian team's progress in the Daily Wrap.
FIXTURE
The fixture splits into Pool A (Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Northern Territory) and Pool B (New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and Australian Capital Territory). The top teams in each pool will face off in the Grand Final on Sunday, with the remaining teams playing off for final placings.
The tournament will open with a Welcome to Country at 4.30pm on Friday 13 September, and closes with presentations at 1.45pm Sunday 15 September.
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Date
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Round
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Details
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Friday 13 September
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Round 1
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5pm – SA v VIC
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Saturday 14 September
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Round 2
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10.15am – NT v VIC
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Round 3
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3pm – VIC v TAS
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Sunday 15 September
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Finals
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9am – 7th v 8th
10.15am – 5th v 6th
11.30am – 3rd v 4th
12.45pm – Grand Final
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
A number of activations will run throughout the tournament for families and spectators to get involved. Event goers can check out the following activations: First Nations arts & crafts, face painting, Narrm Ngarrgu Library reading corner, Clothing the Gap, Confident Girls Foundation, and the Elders’ Corner (tea and coffee in the Ann Henderson Room).
THE TEAM
Elisa Butterworth-Gonebale – Wagiman / Ngan Giwumirri
City West Falcons / Riddell District Football Netball League
Alkira Clark-Kickett – Njaki-Njaki / Wilman / Kirrae Whurrung / Djab Wurrung
Naarm Angels Netball Club / Darebin Netball Association
Chloe Eyre – Wamba Wamba
City West Falcons / Riddell District Football Netball League / Altona Netball Association
Ashlee Hyde (Vice-captain) – Wambaya
Garfield Netball Club / West Gippsland League
Jemiah Niki – Jawoyn, Murry Island, Saibai Island
Sunbury Lions Football Netball Club
Anna Solomon (Captain) – Dunghutti / Ngarigo Monero
Gippsland Stars / Morwell Football Netball Club
Olivia Spence – Mara
Croydon North MLOC / Eastern United Netball
Holly Stephens (Vice-captain) – Kurnai
Casey Demons / Longwarry Football Netball Club
Emlyn Turriff – Wurundjeri
Outer East Football Netball League
Mia Williams – Noongar Ballardong
Altona Netball Association / Strathmore Netball Club
SQUAD MEMBERS
Shianne Bamblett – Warlpiri / Yorta Yorta / Wiradjuri / Dja Dja Wurrung / Gunditjmara
Northern Football Netball League
Tully Bethune – Wiradjuri
Geelong Cougars / Birregurra Football Netball Club
Isabel Gee – Palawa
AFL Barwon Football Netball League
Ellie Morgan – Yorta Yorta / Wemba Wemba
Rumbalara FNC
Find out more about the athletes in Victoria’s First Nations team.
THE COACHES
Noel Halton (head coach) – Palawa
Aunty Belinda Hayden – Njaki-Njaki Noongar
In July, Netball Australia announced it will pilot a First Nations Tournament at the State Netball Centre, Parkville. The purpose of the tournament is to provide accelerated and equitable opportunities for First Nations participants in netball and will feature under-23 aged teams from every state and territory as they compete across three days of competition. You can stay up to date on the results through Netball Victoria’s social media channels, and via the daily wrap on our website.
The Victorian First Nations team is supported by Netball Victoria's partner, RACV.
