NAIDOC netball celebration too good to pass

This year's coming together at Langford of netballers from various regions across Western Australia was a fitting celebration of NAIDOC Week that highlighted the passion for sport and recreation amongst Indigenous Western Australians, said Department of Sport and Recreation Director General Ron Alexander.

11 August 2010

A record breaking number of teams competed in the NAIDOC Week Netball Carnival on Wednesday 7 July 2010, with 58 teams registered – 18 more teams than last year.

“Teams from as far as Kalgoorlie, Kellerberrin, Geraldton, Katanning, Quairading, Bunbury, Mandurah, Merredin and Mt Barker took to the court for some lively competition in the spirit of NAIDOC Week,” Mr Alexander said.

“The theme of NAIDOC Week this year was ‘Unsung Heroes – Closing the Gap by Leading Their Way’, and to me that was very fitting in a sports context where volunteers and parents give up their time to enable others such as our young people to reap the benefits of participating in sport and recreation – to me they are the unsung heroes.

“Sport plays a particularly integral role in the lives of Indigenous Western Australians, particularly in regional areas where it forms a basis for social interaction for communities and helps to keep individuals fit and healthy, both physically and mentally.”

The carnival is an annual initiative of the Department of Sport and Recreation’s Indigenous Sport Unit, in partnership with Netball WA, Healthway Smarter than Smoking, Southern Districts Netball Association, the Netball Aboriginal Advisory Committee and the Nyoongar Sports Association.

Players competed in 12 & Under, 13 & Under, 15 & Under, 17 & Under, A Grade and B Grade divisions. An All Stars team was selected by Netball WA to recognise talented Under 15s and Under 17s players.

The extra teams this year saw last year’s record turnout eclipsed with more than 2,000 people in attendance, including players, officials, volunteers and spectators.

“I think the increase can be attributed to the recognition that the carnival provides pathway opportunities for our Aboriginal youth and women to further enhance their development and support their access into mainstream competitions,” said DSR Project Officer Nick Abraham.

“The carnival is about much more than playing netball. It’s about bringing together people from regional WA, including some quite isolated areas, with those from the metropolitan area to test their skills at a higher level, meet new people and to celebrate their culture.

“On another level, netball and the carnival is also used by some of these communities as a means of working through social problems that can come with their isolation, for instance as an incentive to go to school.

“Sport is a great equalizer and an effective way of bringing people together so a carnival like that is a fitting way to celebrate NAIDOC Week because that’s what the week is all about.”

 

Results:

A Grade Winners

Fairest and Best (F&B) – Kellie Buckley Rebels (North-side of river)

Runner up F&B – Jacinta Anderson

Flames 14 defeated Woola Woola All Stars 11

Most Valuable Player for Grand Final Nikita Little (suburb: Medina, team: Flames)

B Grade Winners

Fairest and Best – Ashlee Ryder Chicaz (possibly Northside) and Kristel Kickett Dem Gurlz (Gosnells)

Runner up – Jenna Lee Rodney (team: Jindy’s)

Grand Final

Y Wot 21 defeated S.O.B.’s 15

Most Valuable Player for Grand Final Emma Riley (team: Y Wot, suburbs: Kelmscott/Armadale)

17 & Under

Fairest and Best – Bobbie Kohninga (team: Maggies, suburb: Forrestfield)

Runner up – Hayley Farmer (team: Woola Woola, suburb: Belmont)

Raemea Kickett – (Warwick/Girrawheen – Northside of river)

Marleena McIntosh Keelaz (Kellerberrin)

Mikeala Grantham Lightenining (Bunbury)

Shayla Yarran

Grand Final

Woola Woola Koolangkas 20 defeated Lightening 10

Most Valuable Player for Grand Final – Meagan Boddington (team: Woola Woola Koolangkas, suburb: Balga)

15 & Under
Fairest and Best – Talisha Bennell (team: Katanning All Stars, town: Katanning)

Runner up – Iesha Anthony (team: Mooditj Yorgas, town: Bunbury)

Katanning All Stars 12 defeated Mooditj Yorgas 11

Most Valuable Player for Grand Final – Talisha Bennell (team: Katanning All Stars, town: Katanning)

13 & Under
Fairest and Best – Emily Lang (team: Woola Woola Koolgankas, suburb: Ballajura)

Runner up – Tanya Davis (team: Yirra Djinda Northam, town: Northam)

Grand Final

Woola Woola Koolangkas 14 defeated Redbacks 8

Most Valuable Player for Grand Final – Emily Lang (suburb: Ballajura, team: Woola Woola Koolangkas)

 

12 & Under

Fairest and Best – Talullah Hayden (team: Nicks Team, suburb: Armadale)

Runner up – Shauence Jetta (team: Nicks Team, suburb: Armadale)

Grand Final

Raiders 13 defeated Mandurah Yirra Djinda 10

Most Valuable Player for Grand Final – Shaniah Alone (team: Raiders, suburb: Maylands/Beechboro)

Gina Kickett Memorial Trophy
Winner:  Emily Lang from the 13’s Woola Woola Koolangkas side

Awarded in recognition of a young Nyoongar lady who passed away two years ago, the Gina Kickett Memorial Trophy and was awarded to the Overall Best Player for the NAIDOC Carnival (the player who had the most votes from all the age groups).

Gina’s mum Belinda Hayden (Kickett) presented the trophy to the recipient. The Kickett/Hayden Family have been actively involved in netball for a number of years and supporting Aboriginal players through Netball Pathways.   

In 2004 Belinda helped organise the first DSR-run NAIDOC Netball Carnival.  They both played a key role in supporting the progress of the DSR-run NAIDOC Netball Carnival.