Written by Amelia Barnes
Embracing multiculturalism and championing inclusivity are key pillars of the Western Warriors that will be on full display during the Victorian Netball League’s (VNL) First Nations Round this week.
The start-up VNL club will wear a specially designed dress for the occasion featuring artwork by Mandandanji and Noonuccal artist Kiz Costelloe of Maiarla Dreaming.
Commemorating First Nations Round in this visible manner was identified as a priority for Western Warriors when applying for a VNL licence.
For Championship division player and 23&Under division coach Kim Borger, VNL First Nations Round is an important acknowledgement of the world's oldest continuous living culture.
Borger grew up in Kempsey, NSW on Dunghutti Country, which has a high proportion of First Nations residents. She also has several family members in the First Nations community who she’s proud to represent.
Western Warriors reached out to Kiz Costelloe to design their inaugural dress with the aim of outlining the importance of women in sport and showcasing the diversity of Melbourne’s western suburbs.
The club’s home base is Cobblebank Stadium in Melton, located on Wurundjeri Country on the outskirts of Melbourne.
“The symbols that I used in the design represent women and people. There are circles with symbols around them to represent community and the connection each athlete and each woman has with each other and the club,” said Costelloe of her artwork.
“The story within the design also incorporates the growth and journey of the club and each person who is involved.
“Each person has come from diverse backgrounds and stories but have all ultimately ended up together at this club and together as one community.”
Footprints on the dress symbolise the journey of the club that is walking and growing together in their first VNL season, while waving lines represent the unpredictable nature of sport and inevitable learning curves.
The dress combines Western Warriors’ official blue, red and white colours with those significant to Costelloe.
Costelloe was inspired to become an artist by her late great uncle, who was also an Indigenous artist.
“I was always intrigued by his art and the way he was able to tell stories through it, so I made it a goal to practise most days after school,” she says.
“I am mostly self-taught because I did not grow up around that side of my family. However, any chance I get to learn more from my elders, I take it.”
Costelloe said it will be a surreal experience to see the dress in action during VNL First Nations Round.
“It’s empowering when you see bigger clubs and communities come together and celebrate our culture and our people. It makes me so proud to be a part of it.”
Borger hopes occasions such as VNL’s First Nations Round will continue to attract and empower players from all walks of life.
“Not only do I have Indigenous family members, but my younger sister has Down syndrome, and it's always been a struggle to try and get her included in anything really in life. We've had to fight tooth and nail a lot of the time,” said Borger.
“She loves netball and has always wanted to play, but she's not always been welcome in some aspects… But she's in a really good club now back where I grew up.”
Initiatives that celebrate minorities and fight inequities are a step in the right direction.
“I love to be able to make netball a safe and inclusive space regardless of your background, your colour, or if you have a disability,” Borger said.
VNL First Nations Round will be held during Round 14 at the State Netball Centre this Wednesday 29 May.
VNL games at the State Netball Centre are free to attend. One match per round is available to livestream free via the Netball Victoria Facebook page, and one match via subscription on KommunityTV.
