In 2022, Netball Victoria implemented a First Nations Round in the Victorian Netball League with the assistance of proud Wagiman/Ngan’giwumirri woman Helena Gonebale.
NAIDOC Week is a celebration of the history, culture and achievements of First Nations people, and Helena’s contribution to Victorian netball is certainly worth celebrating.
“It’s quite the privilege to play a role in informing Netball Victoria on things that can be done to increase participation for young Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander players,” she said.
Gonebale has been heavily involved in netball her whole life, playing when she was a junior before picking up coaching. Her love for the sport has also filtered down to her own daughter Elisa, a current training partner with the City West Falcons 19&Under side.
“Netball has had an important role in our family. I used to play myself as a young person, but the landscape was very different at that time - it wasn’t necessarily as popular in the community and we didn’t have the same sort of pathways or opportunities.”
“But with my daughter going through the pathway in Victoria it’s been a really great opportunity to get involved, and look at other ways that young people can come up through the ranks and we can see more young people on the big stage,” she said.
Gonebale is actively working in the community to help break down the barriers First Nations people face when it comes to participating in netball, to ensure that everyone has a chance to get on court and showcase their talent.
“I think there’s a lot of things that can be done. Looking at opportunities to invite and help upskill First Nations coaches, looking at opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on selection panels, when girls are trialling particularly in the pathway programs, that certainly changes the dynamic that can make the young women feel a lot more comfortable and confident when going into these spaces.
“Clubs and competitions are becoming more aware of reducing the barriers to participation, and addressing historical racism and discrimination that our young women and young men have experienced in these environments has certainly increased young people wanting to come forward and play the game we all love.
“We’re providing an opportunity for hope and inspiration for young people coming through, that they too can progress through the ranks and look at it as a serious opportunity for them in the future,” she said.
Gonebale further highlighted the necessity of equipping those out in the community with the appropriate information and targeting groups with effective communication to ensure that more First Nations athletes take up netball.
“We’ve got huge numbers of volunteers that are working hard out in the space and making sure we equip them with the support and communication that they need, addressing any barriers to participation, certainly in the regional areas.
“A lot of our volunteers will talk about driving around and picking players up so they can get to where they need to be and supporting families that might not be able to. The costs of uniforms and fees can really put people out. Some of our next talent could be experiencing financial disadvantage and the only reason they’re not playing on the big stage is because their families might not be able to put them in a place that they need to be for Talent ID.”
An area that Gonebale is particularly passionate about is the pathway space. As a representative of the Western Metro region, she assists in identifying First Nations talent.
“I go along to the Talent Academies and introduce myself to the young women … and remind them of the supports that are available. I encourage their participation in the First Nations specialist programs that they generally do as part of Talent Academy to bring all those players together, so they can build relationships and some other unique specialist training,” she said.
Gonebale highlighted the role that First Nations players have on influencing the next generation of netballers, noting the positive impact the likes of Melbourne Vixens squad member Gabby Coffey has had on the community, along with other exciting First Nations athletes playing in Suncorp Super Netball.
“Watching those journeys and seeing Gabby Coffey being interviewed and talking about her journey with the Vixens Academy and some of her work at that level inspires hope in these young people and it makes it real for them,” she said.
“To be able to look up at the likes of Donnell Wallam, Jemma Mi Mi and others being really successful in the sport certainly inspires hope in these young people. If we continue to promote that and make our environments culturally safe and responsive to those needs, then I think we will see a lot more young people coming through.”
The ultimate dream for Gonebale is to see equal representation across all aspects of netball, not just on the court.
“Looking for opportunities for First Nations people coming through for umpiring, coaching, participating in clinics where they can get badges and do the training that’s required is really important as well. The more First Nations representation we have at all of these levels and all of these forums, we’re going to see more players come through.”
