Written by: Amelia Barnes
Players in the Victorian Netball League will soon participate in the inaugural First Nations round in Round 11 of the 2022 season.
One of the competition's proudest First Nations players is Gabby Coffey: Melbourne University Lightning defender, Melbourne Vixens training partner, and more recently, a capped Suncorp Super Netball player with the Collingwood Magpies.
Despite never playing or even training with the Magpies prior, Coffey was elevated to their game day squad in Round 5 of the 2022 SSN season as a nominated athlete under the league's COVID-19 Contingency Framework.
Coffey made it to Sydney from a family camping trip on the off chance she’d take the court in the absence of English international and Magpies co-captain, Geva Mentor.
“Too easy,” is what she told Collingwood coach Nicole Richardson. “Of course, I’m not going to pass up that opportunity!”
Coffey was brought into the game against GIANTS Netball during the third quarter, making her the newest debutant in the competition in the shoes of SSN’s most internationally capped player, soon followed by shooter Jo Harten who Coffey matched up against.
“Honestly I didn't expect to get on the court, but when Richo gave me that opportunity, it was awesome,” Coffey said. “I can't even explain it – I had a great time.”
As a Wiradjuri woman, Coffey is one of only three Aboriginal people to play in SSN this year, alongside Queensland Firebirds contracted players Jemma Mi Mi (of the Wakka Wakka people) and Donnell Wallam (Noongar).
For netball to attract more First Nations athletes, Coffey hopes additional support can be provided to those coming through the pathways, especially those relocating from Country.
Coffey was raised in Alice Springs, before moving to Melbourne in 2017 upon receiving a scholarship to Caulfield Grammar School — a fantastic opportunity but difficult experience for the teenager being so far from her family.
“It was really tough. Now that I've gotten a bit older, I hope that with my knowledge and experience of it we can improve that pathway and build a better support network,” she said.
“I think the next thing to do might be to build more of a connection to some of the players actually coming to Melbourne, because that is quite tough, and figuring out how that might look, what support Netball Victoria can offer, and if there's an opportunity for older athletes like myself to mentor people.”
With SSN experience now under her belt, no doubt players will be looking to Coffey for her skills and leadership in the upcoming VNL First Nations round.
While an Indigenous round has been part of SSN since 2018, 2022 is the first time one has been hosted by the VNL. The round is being supported RACV as part of the company’s wider commitment to diversity and inclusion programs in netball.
Melbourne University Lightning have engaged artist and Kirrae and Peek Wurrong woman of the Gundjitmara nation Bayley Mifsud of Merindah-Gunya to design a dress especially for the inaugural event.
Off the court, Coffey is studying a Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne University and hopes to eventually work as a teacher focusing on Indigenous education. A netballer she looks up to for their efforts in this space is Caitlin Thwaites (former Vixens and Diamonds player, and current Vixens specialist shooting coach), who Coffey says supported First Nations people through the pathways prior to her retirement.
“She did a lot with Indigenous girls. She came to a camp at the AIS and she got really involved with that, which was really awesome to see… so I definitely have a lot of respect and look up to her so much.”
Coffey has similarly been relishing opportunities to be involved with grassroots and pathway events. “I just did an appearance last week in Shepparton and I saw so many really talented Indigenous girls there, so hopefully we see some of them start coming through [the pathways].”
Introducing an official First Nations round at the VNL level is a good place to start.
“I was surprised that we didn't already have one, so I think the fact that this year it's been taken up by all the teams and there’s been positive feedback is really exciting. Hopefully it brings a few more girls into the sport and shows the sort of talent we have here.”
The VNL First Nations round is proudly supported by RACV. Livestream select VNL games on the Netball Victoria Facebook page and Kayo Sports.
