Latest news with #FirstNationsRound
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Reigning premiers Roar back
Reigning premiers Western Roar returned to their devastating best with an 83-24 thrashing of bottom-of-the-table Rangers in round 12 of the WA Netball League. Roar went into the First Nations Round - which recognises and celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in netball - on the back of a loss and draw in the past two weeks. But Roar's skills were back on display, with Caitlyn Brown's ability to read the play and anticipate the ball shutting down the Rangers. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Roar's Sophia Lamers shot 45 from 49 in the rout. The battle for second place is wide open after the Demons went down in a thriller to the West Coast Warriors 48-46. Roar's Sophia Lamers. Credit: James Worsfold The Warriors' ability to move the ball from Scarlet Jauncey through to Honey Harrington, Tierrah Miller and then to her sister Jamaica Jauncey, who scored the winning two goals, was once again in display. Demons Kelsey McPhee (23), Georgia Ettridge (13), Meg Gallager (seven) and Brooke Marques (three) fought hard in the circle. The Comets are now just percentage behind the Demons in second place with two games to go following a 52-48 win over Peel Lightning. After a third quarter fightback from the Lightning, the Comets solidified their lead in a strong final term, with their shooting end of Jasmah Haywood (31), Sloan Burton (15) and Madeleine Ash (six) breaking through in the final five minutes. Despite the tight loss, Lightning's Chelsea Cook (39) continues to dominate in the circle. Shark Sophie Eastaugh. Credit: James Worsfold The Fremantle Sharks kept their slim hopes of a top-four finish alive with a big 77-42 win over Souwest Jets. The Jets high rotation of players on the court led to inconsistency, with young gun Lily Knight the saving grace for the team, shooting 28 goals. The Sharks' mid-court of Numi Tupaea, Jessica Reppacholi and Indiana Squiers provided crucial options around the circle, while their shooting end of Sophie Eastaugh (28), Kasey Ridout (26) and Mwai Kumwenda (23) all had an influence.
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Super Netball round-up: Nweke vs Bruce, Giants desperately need change and we're down to one Indigenous athlete
We've reached the midway point of the Super Netball season and what a way to celebrate. First Nations Round held across the weekend was a massive hit. Positioned on the calendar ahead of National Reconciliation Week, it aims to start a conversation about how Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can work together in the sport. In a top of the ladder clash the NSW Swifts continued their unbeaten streak and have now defeated all seven teams, downing the Sunshine Coast Lightning 70-62. The West Coast Fever beat the Giants 75-66 as Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard claimed her fourth player of the match award this season and became the first shooter to reach 9,000 goals. The Melbourne Vixens handed the Queensland Firebirds their fifth straight loss, 70-52, and the Adelaide Thunderbirds got back on track with a 66-59 victory over the Melbourne Mavericks. The Thunderbirds were also the first Super Netball club to follow the AFL's lead and take on an Indigenous name for the round. They were known as Tarntanya Karntu after working with Uncle Mickey O'Brien to translate their name into Kaurna language. If you missed it, don't worry — we'll get you up to speed with our Super Netball Round-Up. When the Swifts secured the signature of Silver Ferns target Grace Nweke, our first thought was 'how good'. Now we get to see our favourite Constellation Cup battle happen on a regular basis. Nweke has previously complained about the physicality she is subjected to against the Diamonds and getting used to this would have been one of the driving forces that led her to sacrifice national selection to sign with a Super Netball team in order to grow her game. We didn't see the pair meet during the pre-season as Bruce was being managed in her return from injury. We've had to wait seven rounds into the official competition and even then, Lightning head coach Belinda Reynolds made us wait another 10 minutes, when she started Ash Ervin (192cm) at goal keeper before injecting Bruce (189cm) later as a rolling sub. Perhaps Reynolds wanted to see what the extra height could do? Maybe it was mind games? What we do know is that once Bruce was on court the fireworks started and we couldn't look away. There was some serious tension in that goal circle between Nweke and all three of the Lightning's defenders — Bruce, Ervin and Tara Hinchliffe. Shoving, grabbing, and jostling for space. Bruce and Nweke lined up front-on at points, face-to-face, and neither took a backward step. The game is supposed to have eradicated the tussle for ball after a goal to get it back faster for the next centre pass, but these two couldn't help themselves. It was on. There were also a few flops as the athletes played up the contact to try and gain an advantage. Overall, Nweke won this round. She was named player of the match for her 50 goals at 89 per cent. Bruce registered zero gains and stood out of play nine times. She only lasted 10 minutes at goal keeper in her direct match-up against Nweke before she was shifted to goal defence, when Reynolds re-introduced Ervin. This allowed the Lightning to incorporate more height and for Bruce to float forward and then drop back as she continued to ruffle Nweke's feathers. But in an interview afterwards, Nweke looked as if she could cry. It was not the kind of emotion expected from a winning player. It appears the physicality got to her and she was frustrated she'd let Bruce get in her head. Nweke missed six goals and had four general play turnovers, as errors crept into her game as the match wore on. But this is what she's here to do. Learn how to deal with that physicality. Nweke is the ticket to a Swifts premiership and if she can continue to cop that kind of attention and deliver, she'll be much stronger for it. It feels like Groundhog Day as the Giants and Firebirds sit in the same ladder positions they finished last season. The Firebirds have at least had some change in personnel. Although at the midway point they are no better off results wise than they were when they parted with Bec Bulley after two wins from nine rounds in 2024. For the Giants, this is now their worst season to date. With just one victory in seven rounds, they've stooped lower than the two wins they had midway through season 2023 and 2024. They have gone backwards over the last three years and as a result, there are people at the club who will now be fighting for a contract. Jamie-Lee Price, Sophie Dwyer, Erin O'Brien and Jamaican import Jodi-Ann Ward are safe, as their only players locked in for 2026. Julie Fitzgerald is the most experienced coach in the league and is in the last year of her current deal. Is it time for fresh ideas? How much longer will Jo Harten play? Has Matisse Letherbarrow done enough to take over the starting GS bib? The Giants have played two grand finals in their nine-year existence. They know what it takes to be successful, but they have become complacent and are no longer up to scratch. It won't help that co-captain Price has openly indicated she wants to move to Melbourne to be with her partner and AFL footballer Harry Perryman who plays for Collingwood. If inaugural figures Price, Harten and Fitzgerald all go in a short period, who carries on the legacy of the Giants? At a time where Welcome to Countries are such a hot topic, we saw four engaging and unique ceremonies held before the games. The dresses featuring First Nations artwork were some of the best designs we've seen in the history of the league. The elephant in the room, though, was that we are back to championing a single Indigenous player in Australia's top-flight competition. Leesa Mi Mi (Wakka Wakka) is the only Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander across eight teams — just as her sister Jemma was years earlier. For the past two seasons there was also Donnell Wallam (Noongar), but she left to play in the New Zealand Premiership. During Jemma Mi Mi's career she was one of 80 athletes. Now each team has an option to sign 11 players and the Firebirds were the only club not to take up that offer in 2025. That means the size of the playing group has increased, but its Indigenous representation has decreased. From the outside it looks like one step forward and three steps back. However, Netball Australia First Nations engagement lead Ali Tucker-Munro (Kamilaroi) says there is progress under the surface. Tucker-Munro started in her role last year and implemented three programs that have highlighted the existing talent in the pathways: the Black Swans team, a First Nations tournament and a First Nations coaching course. At the national netball championships last month, Tia Molo (Waanyi) won the under-19 MVP award representing Queensland. There were also three Indigenous coaches at the helm of state teams, including Vanessa Dempsey (Narungga, Ngarrindjeri and Jingili) who guided South Australia to the under-17 title. Meanwhile, there are Indigenous players taking part in Super Netball Reserves. This talent will pop its head up in the coming years as the sport plays the long game and ensures the representation is organic and sustainable. "Representation is really important to our community and it is going to take time to create that pipeline," Tucker-Munro told ABC Sport. "We're building on what we began last year and look, Vanessa became the first Aboriginal coach to win a national underage title, so there's little pieces of the puzzle coming together. "We're planting seeds, and the shoots are sprouting, but it's about giving the sport time to see these programs bear fruit in the near future."
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Super Netball 2025: West Coast Fever unveil First Nations dress designed to represent their spirit and journey
The 'Spirit of the Fever' will be celebrated when West Coast Fever wear their powerful First Nations Dress against the Giants at Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday. Designed by contemporary Aboriginal artist Jilalga Murray of Jilalga Designs, the dress's design is a a powerful symbol of unity, strength, and cultural pride. The dress incorporates elements from the club's Indigenous artwork, telling the story of the club. 'It captures the energy of our journey: weaving across the court with purpose, overcoming every obstacle, and chasing greatness with the Green Army by our side. It's a tribute to resilience, connection, and the unbreakable spirit that drives us forward,' Fever said in a statement on the dress. Fever skipper Jess Anstiss said they loved the design. 'This year's design is breathtaking — it's bold, it's meaningful and it fills us with pride,' he said. 'I can't wait to step onto the court in it this Saturday and represent something so much bigger than ourselves. 'It's not just about this dress — it's about the ongoing relationships we're building, the stories we're sharing, and the respect we carry every time we wear these colours. Our Home Dress also features elements of Spirit of the Fever and it's a constant reminder of who we play for. 'When we return to RAC Arena later this season, I know our 'green army' will be right there with us, especially for our First Nations Round in July. That match is going to be something truly special.' Fever will also wear the dress when they host the Giants at RAC Arena on Sunday, July 6 when they celebrate the club and Netball WA's enduring partnership with the Shooting Stars Program which empowers young Aboriginal girls through sport and education.
