By Mikayla van Loon
In an inaugural first for both Victoria and Australia, a talented collection of young First Nations netballers will compete in a three day tournament this weekend.
Representing the outer east will be Wurundjeri woman and Seville netballer Emlyn Turriff and Mara woman and former Olinda-Ferny Creek player Olivia Spence.
Emlyn, 15, started playing netball at the age of seven for Montrose Netball Club, where she was selected to play representative netball for the Lilydale and Yarra Valley Netball Association.
Moving to the Seville Football and Netball Club last year, Emlyn said aside from the friendships and the community that comes with netball, the competitive nature of sport has always inspired her.
“I really enjoy having a goal to work towards. I’m a very achievement based person, so I really like to work towards something. I’m also pretty competitive, so I love that you’ve got to fight for a win and things like that,” she said.
Selected in Victoria’s First Nations team as an attacking mid-courter, Emlyn said that wasn’t always her chosen position.
“I’ve only become a mid-courter this year. I’ve only ever played goal attack or goal shooter but my height has proven that it’s not as easy when you’re short,” she said.
“My strength though as a mid quarter is definitely my circle feed, because I’ve been a goal attack for so long, I know where the goalers want the ball. I know where they’re going to go next. So I feel like that’s definitely a strength of mine, reading where they want the ball.”
Having followed a similar path, Olivia, 19, said she initially started as a goal defender but has since made the transition to wing defence and centre because of her height.
But still, Olivia said the competitive aspect of the game and also being the one to turn over play as a defender were two things she loves about the sport.
“I like reading the play and picking the right moments when to go for those intercepts and try and not get in the bad books with the umpires,” she said.
“Just trying to pick the right moments when to go and also respecting my attacker. I love the physicality of being a defender. I like how you can just keep going and hassling and the big moments when you get those intercepts is pretty cool too.”
Originally chosen as a training partner, Olivia said that was such an honour but an injury in the playing list has meant she will now take the court throughout the tournament.
“The training partner experience was amazing. I loved just going to the trainings and learning, and you still feel very included in the squad, and you’re a part of the team. I was very thankful for having the opportunity to be a training partner,” Olivia said.
“I’m a little nervous, but also more excited to take the court now.”
Emlyn said as the youngest player on the team, it’s been a valuable experience being able to learn and look up to the older players, as well as the coaching team.
With players coming from all over the state, both Emlyn and Olivia said that even in the short amount of time they’ve had to train together, it has become such a bonded team.
“We’ve definitely connected and gelled really well in a six week period. Everyone gets along. We’re all reading off each other. We did some match play today (8 Sept), and it was very connected. We’re all very excited and ready to play,” Olivia said.
“I am looking forward to building teamwork a bit more. We’re staying together over the tournament weekend so I definitely think that will bring everyone a little bit closer and hopefully all the quick connections that we make will result in successful finals,” Emlyn said.
Both Olivia and Emlyn said it was a huge privilege and honour to be selected to the inaugural First Nations state team, to represent their communities, culture and heritage.
While Olivia has played in a First Nations team before in under 15s, Emlyn said this was her first time participating in any heritage based programs.
“I attended trials originally, just for the experience, just to get out there and have a go. So I was definitely surprised when I was offered a spot on the team, not that I didn’t want to be in the team, it’s just being 15 my hopes were pretty slim,” Emlyn said.
“But I’ve had to give up playing in my Seville grand final to play so I think that hints and represents how much this selection means to me and the opportunity to play at a state level means to me.”
Having very similar views on the ability of sport to bridge the gap in First Nations equitability and taking steps towards reconciliation, Olivia said “sport brings people together” while Emlyn said “if sport becomes more inclusive, so will the community”.
“My nan and my mum grew up in a time where being indigenous held a stigma. So within our family, our heritage wasn’t talked about too much. With this new sporting thing we’ve seen a turning point with attitudes and things like that,” Emlyn said.
“I just really want to show others, everyone else, that there’s no label necessary. We can do just as much as any other person. We can achieve the same things.
“I can already see it bridging, especially because I’ve been given this opportunity whereas my mum and my nan may not have.”
The inaugural Victorian First Nations team has been coached by Noel Halton (of Palawa heritage) and assistant coach, proud Yorta Yorta, Warlpiri, Wiradjuri, and Gunditjmara woman Jess Bamblett.
“Not only are these athletes highly skilled on the court, it is evident that they want to take this opportunity to be leaders and role models in their communities. I’m looking forward to working with these athletes and congratulate each of them for their selection in the team,” Noel said.
The Netball Australia First Nations tournament will be held from 13 to 15 September at Victoria’s State Netball Centre in Parkville.
