Written by Amelia Barnes
There’s a special bond that binds many netball teammates across Victoria, but perhaps none so significant as the seven related players who recently represented Wy Yung Football Netball Club during their local Indigenous Round.
Alana Solomon said she’s been looking forward to playing together as a family since the birth of her niece Claire.
17 years later, on July 8 2023, it finally happened. The 33-year-old C took to the court for Wy Yung Football Netball Club alongside her mother Christine Hayes in GS (55 years old), sister Janaya Saunders in WA (26), sister Nikita Hayes in WD (30), niece Claire Brown in GD (17), niece Erika Brown in GA (16), and sister-in-law Sarah Baxter-Brown in GK (35).
Solomon regularly plays alongside her sisters in both basketball and netball but said having all seven women play in the one game is a moment she’ll never forget. “I have won multiple premierships, best and fairest awards, best on grounds, and grand finals but this particular game will go down as the best.”
This Indigenous Round was hosted by Paynesville Football Netball Club (PFNC) – playing in the East Gippsland Football League – during NAIDOC Week and was commemorated with a smoking ceremony.
Solomon and her husband previously played for PFNC for many years (before joining Wy Yung to play with more family), making this match even more special. “PFNC [is] a club I personally have a lot of love for,” Solomon said.
Katelyn and Ashley Wheeler from Wy Yung Football Netball Club played a key role in contributing to the round. The pair were responsible for organising the club’s first Koorie uniform, and ensured all Wy Yung players across its netball and football divisions had the opportunity to wear this proudly.
“Katey was the one that actually had the idea of us all suiting up for the one quarter, knowing how much this would mean to all of us, and ran around doing all the behind the scenes stuff to ensure this was able to happen as well,” said Solomon.
The Koorie uniform was designed by Yorta Yorta woman Alkina Edwards – the same artist who created the artwork displayed on the 2023 Netball World Cup dress worn by the Australian Diamonds, and Netball Victoria’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan artwork.
Edwards’ artwork created especially for Wy Yung features intricate lines representing the strength and resilience that Victorians have shown in recent years. In the middle is a gathering circle depicting the club sitting with local Koorie people and sharing stories, and at the bottom are two blue wrens – the totem representing the GunaiKurnai people.
The Indigenous Round was a success on and off the court for Solomon’s D Grade team who came away as winners on the day.
Solomon said the entire round was an important celebration and acknowledgement of First Nations people living on GunaiKurnai Country.
“The East Gippsland Football League clubs are starting to host and organise their own NAIDOC/Indigenous rounds within their clubs which is deadly,” said Solomon.
“To be able to play and represent your culture, your history, and your family brings the absolute best out of you as a player.”
