NAIDOC Week Netball Carnival Wheatbelt
Young netballers from the Wheatbelt recently hit the court for a celebration of culture at the National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration (NAIDOC) Week Netball Carnival in Perth.
13 February 2009
Held each year, the carnival is supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation, WA Netball, Healthway and the Nyoongar Sports Association, and brings together players from across WA, including Perth and regional areas such as Bunbury, Katanning and Northam.
About 300 netballers gathered at the Southern Districts Netball Association in Langford on Wednesday 9 July for this year's carnival, where they competed in 30 teams across five divisions.
Northam's Yirra Djinda Netball Academy had a successful day, with both the Under 12s and Under 17s teams making it into the finals.
DSR Indigenous Sports Development Officer Marisa Bradshaw said sport, and the netball carnival in general, was a fitting way to celebrate NAIDOC Week.
"Like NAIDOC Week, sport is all about bringing people together and this carnival is not just about the competition, it's a celebration of sport, cultural diversity and friendship," Ms Bradshaw said.
"The carnival also encourages Indigenous girls to participate in sport while providing an opportunity for those in regional areas to come to Perth and meet new people and other family members in the process."
A team of Under 17s netballers hailing from various regions will be heading to Darwin to compete in the 2009 Arafura Games after catching the attention of selectors at the carnival.
Netballers chosen for the Arafura Games squad included six from Northam's Yirra Djinda Netball Academy - Clara Garlett, Deserae Garlett, Marrtika Garlett, Nadine Garlett, Tianna Ryder and Tegan McGuire.
This is the first time players from the carnival have been selected to compete at the Arafura Games, which is considered a stepping stone for athletes in their journey to compete at the highest level.
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