Following in the footsteps of Suncorp Super Netball, the Netball NSW Premier League will be hosting its first-ever Indigenous Round this week, with all teams celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture across the eight games.
Round 6, taking place on Thursday 11 July, coincides with 2019 NAIDOC Week, with the theme being ‘Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together for a shared future.’
The theme for the evening will be Tiddas Together – Tiddas is a colloquial Aboriginal word that means sisters.
Ali Tucker-Munro, a former elite netballer with over 100 elite caps to her name, is currently the assistant coach of the UTS Sparks Opens Division team. She spearheaded the idea of introducing an Indigenous Round to Premier League.
“This wonderful game has enriched me on so many levels; physically, mentally, and culturally,” she said.
“Culturally this sport gives me a platform to fulfil what I believe is inherent to who I am as a proud Aboriginal woman – to never forget where I come from, and to always give back to my mob.
“As a proud Kamilaroi woman this round therefore means a great deal to me.
“It’s something that I’ve wanted in NSW for quite some time. So when I put the suggestion to Netball NSW that we should have a Premier League Indigenous round, I was delighted with their response and their commitment in making tonight happen.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the valuable contribution Aboriginal people make across our netball community.”
Each team will take the court wearing a bib featuring Indigenous artwork designed by Tarsha Hawley, an Indigenous player for the Central Coast Heart, who was in the Grand Final-winning Opens team last year.
“This painting for me represents personal success and the empowerment of other Indigenous women throughout my life, and from past achieving Indigenous women who have helped shaped me today,” describes Hawley, who is a Wongaibon woman.
“The concentric circles in the background represent our community, showing how we all come together and are connected as one. No journey being the same, all different but unique.
“To the side of the artwork are dotted lines that represent waves of voices. Voices of past and present Indigenous women who empower me to keep striving, no matter what the setback, no matter the outcome.
“It’s important to back yourself and have strength to keep pushing. It’s the voices from my biggest supporter’s in life that kept me on track to reaching my goals.
“The crow represents the main totem of the Wongaibon nation. It’s the main focal point because this is where life began for me and where I began to learn about my culture.
“The footprints and lines within the triangle represent a journey guided by our elders and ancestors. Each footprint steps forward into the future, showing where we come from and where we can go.
“The triangle symbolises a pathway. As individuals we all set goals and with strength, determination and guidance we can all come together as one.”
BarTV Sports will be live streaming Thursday’s action on three courts, showing both Opens and Under 23s games. The live streams will be shown across Netball NSW’s Facebook and Twitter channels.
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