Jessie Barnes-Hill lives and breathes netball.
When asked about what is important to her, she describes her two passions in life as netball and animals.
Having started netball at a young age playing Netta Netball (now NetSetGO), Jessie has continued to compete and finds herself playing for Shepparton United Football Netball Club and the City West Falcons in the VNL.
“Netball makes me happy. When I play netball everything else just goes away,” Barnes-Hill said.
The competition, camaraderie and everything that comes with being involved in a team sport is what sets netball apart for Jessie. Netball brings together people from all walks of life; female, male and non-binary where everyone can find joy and have fun playing sport.
But Jessie isn’t just passionate about netball. As a pansexual Wiradjuri woman, Jessie is an avid supporter of inclusion and visibility to all who play netball. Jessie explained that inclusion and visibility is a vital part of making netball accessible for all, no matter where you come from.
“Both clubs have wholeheartedly accepted who I am. Differences are embraced, on the court and within our lives.
“At the end of the day, differences aside, you show up and play and it just brings you so much joy.
“Netball does not discriminate, or judge based on identity, gender or preference. All our beloved sport cares about is that when we cross that white line we go out there and make that lead, shoot that goal or take that screaming intercept.
‘Your gender, your identity - none of that matters when you step onto the court. When we put those patches on and step onto the court, it doesn’t matter who your family is, it doesn’t matter who your partner is.”
It is important for differences, preferences, gender, and identity to be brought into the forefront of discussion through initiatives such as Pride Round to make sure positive steps are in place for the future and to ensure we are progressing as an inclusive sport.
Similarly, Indigenous Round enhances indigenous recognition in our netball community, and Pride Round promotes that no matter who you are, we are all the same when we step onto the court. Pride Round creates another platform, a platform where we are all equal.
The initiative is key part of Netball Victoria’s focus on inclusion within the sport. Creating a safe space for participation is a fundamental part of this, and the catalyst that will see it move forward. Participation in netball has the power to unite communities, empower individuals and breakdown barriers.
The Victorian Netball League’s Pride Round was a true success last Wednesday, 30 June as the league recognised the LGBT+ community, supported by RACV. Each team wore bibs with either the pride rainbow or transgender stripes, while umpires wore rainbow socks to show their support.
