The inaugural Suncorp Super Netball Indigenous Round will be held in Round 10, ahead of NAIDOC Week celebrations the following week, with the competition taking pause to acknowledge the contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made to Australian society, through a series of specially designed team uniforms.
Each team’s dress is unique and has been designed to represent the stories and culture of their local indigenous community.
Renowned indigenous artist Sarrita King has also created a one-off ball design – named “Gather As One” – for the round, with the balls to be used across all Super Netball games this weekend.
The introduction of the league’s first Indigenous Round is part of Netball Australia’s increased efforts to provide an inclusive environment for all Australians to participate in and enjoy netball, and this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, “Because of her, we can”, makes it a fitting time to acknowledge the wonderful role that indigenous women have played in the betterment of the sport.
The West Coast Fever and Adelaide Thunderbirds took to the court in their Indigenous Round dresses when they played in Round 8, and Fever executive officer Tamara Sheppard said this weekend presented another great opportunity to showcase netball’s wonderful relationship with its local indigenous communities.
“It’s wonderful to see Indigenous Round celebrated across the entire League, and it’s an event that we treat with the upmost reverence and importance,” Sheppard said.
“The round highlights the significant relationship that exists between netball and the indigenous communities around Australia, and we’re very proud to host a home game this weekend.”
So this weekend, take a moment to enjoy each team’s stunning dress design and pay tribute to the many exceptional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have and continue to be a part of our sport.
