West Coast Fever will host the Queensland Firebirds for First Nations Round at RAC Arena this Saturday night to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s round focuses on raising awareness, celebrating and understanding the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to netball and the nation.
First Nations Round has been a feature of the Suncorp Super Netball fixture since 2018, and has been renamed from Indigenous Round in 2022 to respectfully encompass and acknowledge the diversity of First Nations cultures, people and identities of Australia.
The round is split over two weeks so all eight Suncorp Super Netball clubs can showcase their engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in front of their home crowds.
As one of the first clubs in the league to host an Indigenous Round, recognising and celebrating the First Nations people and culture is extremely important to West Coast Fever.
West Coast Fever Captain Courtney Bruce said she was passionate about highlighting the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people within netball from grassroots to the elite level.
“It so important to recognise and acknowledge their culture but to also celebrate it and the diversity within our country,” she said.
“Sport can be such a powerful driver for change and inclusivity.
“It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate the longest living culture and to grow the sport to show young indigenous girls that there is a pathway, it’s a safe environment for their culture and it’s celebrated.
“Through the Shooting Stars program, I have learnt to celebrate those girls and their stories and to give them every opportunity to wear the Fever green or whatever colour they decide.
“I would love to see more First Nations players at SSN level.”
As one of West Coast Fever’s flagship events, First Nations Round also provides an opportunity to showcase Fever’s engagement with its Official Charity Partner, Shooting Stars.
Shooting Stars is an educational program that uses sport and other tools to empower young Aboriginal girls and women in remote communities to make informed choices about their education and employment journey.
In the lead up to the game, West Coast Fever athletes and Shooting Stars participants come together for an official dress blessing ceremony.
The indigenous dress design created by Noongar artists Peter Farmer and Kylie Graham features Aboriginal women’s symbols to represent each member of the playing squad alongside a series of significant waterholes in Whadjuk Country.
This year’s First Nations Round match balls will also feature custom artwork created by Yorta-Yorta/Wurundjeri woman Simone Thomson. The artwork, titled Winyar Yuringa (Women of the Sun), will also be included on the umpires’ uniforms.
The round coincides with National Reconciliation Week from May 27 to June 3. This year’s theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to all Australians — individuals, families, communities, organisations and government — to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation to Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.
Click here for tickets to West Coast Fever's First Nations Round.
