For the first time, an official state team consisting of First Nations players will be representing Victoria when they compete at Netball Australia’s inaugural First Nations Tournament.
The tournament will be held at the State Netball Centre in Parkville from 13-15 September, featuring Australia’s best First Nations athletes aged under 23.
Meet the athletes set to represent their mobs and Victoria on our home court:
THE GOALERS
Tully Bethune – GS
Wiradjuri
Geelong Cougars / Birregurra Football Netball Club
At just 18 years old, Tully brings a wealth of experience to Victoria’s First Nations team. She made her 19&Under VNL debut at 14 years old, was named co-captain of Northern Territory’s state team, and was selected for Netball Australia’s inaugural First Nations team, the Blacks Swans, where she was unfortunately sidelined due to injury. Now back on court, she impresses as a tall holding goaler with great accuracy.
Holly Stephens (Vice-Captain) – GS, GA
Kurnai
Casey Demons / Longwarry Football Netball Club
Holly has carved out her early VNL career at the Casey Demons, where she plays for the 23&Under team. The tall goaler has great movement and versatility across the attacking positions, where she can play further up the court, and has been flagged as a strong leader by her coaches.
Jemiah Niki – GS, GA
Jawoyn, Murry Island, Saibai Island
Sunbury Lions Football Netball Club
No-fuss goaler Jemiah is accurate from every spot in the circle, and has blossomed as a shooter at the Sunbury Lions. As someone who goes about their business, she’s further honed her skills within VNL club, the Western Warriors’ development program and is keen for the opportunity to participate in a high performance environment.
Chloe Eyre – GA, WA
Wamba Wamba
City West Falcons / Riddell District Football Netball League / Altona Netball Association
At 16 years old, Chloe’s coaches have dubbed her as a super young gun coming through the pathway, saying she’s the shy one that takes all advice onboard and delivers on the court. The City West Falcons development squad member has great speed and agility even with her tall stature.
THE MIDCOURTERS
Elisa Butterworth-Gonebale – WA, C
Wagiman / Ngan Giwumirri
City West Falcons / Riddell District Football Netball League
City West Falcons 23&Under midcourter Elisa has amazing agility and speed to burn, with a work rate that always sits at 100%. She shone at last year’s National Netball Championships for Victoria’s 17/U state team, and is currently in the 19/U squad.
Emlyn Turriff – C, WA
Wurundjeri
Outer East Football Netball League
A young and quiet achiever, Emlyn brings versatility, a great change of pace and sublime circle feeding to this First Nations team. Currently playing for Seville, she has lots of representative experience with Lilydale and Yarra Valley Netball Association.
Mia Williams – WD, C
Noongar Ballardong
Altona Netball Association / Strathmore Netball Club
Mia appears to be an unassuming defender, but has great court awareness, explosive speed and supreme elevation for a shorter player. While admitting she’s both excited and nervous to take the court for Victoria, her coaches back her netball to do the talking.
THE DEFENDERS
Anna Solomon (Captain) – GK, GD, WD
Dunghutti / Ngarigo Monero
Gippsland Stars / Morwell Football Netball Club
As the first ever signing for the Gippsland Stars 23&Under team, Anna is a coach’s dream with her strong leadership skills, athleticism, and willingness to share her knowledge with her peers. The circle defender can play further up the court, has great pace and is an excellent reader of the ball.
Ashlee Hyde (Vice-Captain) – GK, GD
Wambaya
Garfield Netball Club / West Gippsland League
Ashlee is one of the more experienced players, with a calming presence in defence. She’s a rebound queen and never gives a goaler an easy shot, making herself another great leader and role model for our young group.
Alkira Clark-Kickett – GS, GA, GK
Njaki-Njaki / Wilman / Kirrae Whurrung / Djab Wurrung
Naarm Angels Netball Club / Darebin Netball Association
A very versatile player who can play both ends, Alkira always has a smile on her face and brings a positive attitude to the team. She has great defensive pressure and transitions the ball well out of defence.
SQUAD MEMBERS
Olivia Spence – GD, GK
Mara
Croydon North MLOC / Eastern United Netball
Olivia is a joy to coach, as she listens with intent and delivers on court. She has great movement and court awareness as a defensive midcourter, and will continue to develop into a strong player of the future.
Ellie Morgan – GS, GA
Yorta Yorta / Wemba Wemba
Rumbalara FNC
Ellie is another young gun that oozes talent. The accurate goaler can also play midcourt if needed and is touted by her coaches to have a very bright future in netball.
Shianne Bamblett – WA, GA
Warlpiri / Yorta Yorta / Wiradjuri / Dja Dja Wurrung / Gunditjmara
Northern Football Netball League
Dedicated netballer Shianne is often travelling between Melbourne and Shepparton for her love of the sport, and is a strong feeder into the circle.
Isabel Gee – GD, WD
Palawa
AFL Barwon Football Netball League
Hailing from the Surf Coast region, Isabel is another one of our younger players with great potential. She is not only a versatile defender with great court awareness, but surfs in her spare time away from netball, and played basketball in her junior years.
The Victorian First Nations team is supported by Netball Victoria's partner, RACV.
Netball Australia announced the pilot First Nations tournament which will be held at the State Netball Centre, Parkville (Naarm) in September.
The 2024 First Nations Tournament will be open and free to the public.
Find out more about Netball Victoria's First Nations programs.
