The Queensland Firebirds are set to take on the Melbourne Vixens in this week‘s first game of the Suncorp Super Netball Indigenous round.
The Queensland team are dedicated to shining a light on improving participation pathways for First Nation's netballers and are honoured to showcase their talent on court in the Indigenous round dress this week, as well as next week against the Sunshine Coast Lightening.
Firebirds Captain, Gabi Simpson said the team were honoured and proud to be wearing Rachael Sarra’s artwork on the team dress.
“Rachael’s artwork is a cultural representation of who we are as Firebirds. She’s really taken the time to understand who we are as a team and through workshops, Rachael’s captured the true essence of who we are and who we aspire to be, Gabi said.
“It’s a real privilege to be able to celebrate and honour both Jemma and our First Nation’s people in this round. Come game day, we will walk out with immense pride because we get to wear our First Nation’s culture on our dress.”
“Now more than ever, we understand our responsibility as leaders. We’re still learning and growing. Collectively we needed to do better than we have in the past. Today, we’re grateful for the guidance of our Elders for sharing their stories and empowering us.”
Beryl Friday, Netball Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee spokesperson highlighted the importance of having a voice and the development pathways for First Nation’s people.
“Members of the committee are using their voices to initiate proactive change including employing a role dedicated to developing a Reconciliation Action Plan and being the voice of the community to provide a better level of support for First Nation’s people to be involved in netball in Queensland – our Murri, Bama and Torres Strait Islander players and other Indigenous athletes that now call our state home.
“The reality is that we haven’t seen any Indigenous Diamonds for the last 20 years – that’s a big gap to fill. We’re working towards being better at developing the pathways from grassroots participation to elite performance level for our next generation of netballers – players, coaches, umpires, bench officials, etc. Queensland is one of the most proactive states and there is a lot going on behind the scenes to move things forward.”
Queensland Firebirds CEO, Catherine Clark, said that the tangible actions to improve cultural knowledge and awareness after last year’s round speaks to the commitment and theme for Reconciliation Week this year – More than a Word. Reconciliation takes action.
“We have listened intently and reflected. What we’ve heard from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is that actions speak louder than words. The time for action is now. We’ve made a commitment through the establishment of our Netball Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee to improve our cultural capability – from the board room to the netball court with a particular focus on improving our First Nation’s pathways to becoming a Firebird or a Diamond,” Clark said.
We know that to be truly respectful, we have to turn up every day and do our best to show our First Nation’s people that we can deliver on our promise to do better. We’ve also been asking ourselves what action we can take to be more culturally inclusive and respectful. I have learned that it’s not just about my personal commitment, it’s how I engage, as a leader, as many people as I can to be agents of change. So, today I’m also asking our wider netball and sporting community to find the next significant action and to be part of the change we want to see,” Clark said.
Ms Clark said she was also like to thank the members of the Netball Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee, Elders and First Nation’s staff who have provided invaluable cultural guidance over the past 6 months.
“I want to thank the Netball Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee Members, Elders and staff for their time, knowledge and valuable cultural guidance. The committee members, Elders and staff have been extremely generous in sharing their knowledge and wisdom to improve our organisation’s cultural capability. I’d also like to acknowledge Jemma who holds a significant community responsibility as a First Nation’s player and the Firebirds team who have been a pillar of strength and support.”
To commemorate Indigenous rounds, games 5 and 6, the Firebirds will wear a First Nation's designed dress designed by Rachael Sarra, a Goreng Goreng woman. Rachael's powerful story telling is captured in the design of the dress.
Artist, Racheal Sarra said, the dress represents that the Queensland Firebirds are more than the 7 players on court at any one time. Every step or pass they make, is ignited by those who have come before them and the people who show them support. It is the strength in diversity that fuels unity, maintaining balance and harmony on and off the court.
“You, our Firebirds are a vessel for change, awareness and equality, each pass connecting different stories and identities. Your roots are strong in the Queensland landscapes. With every game you bring fire, and at every final buzzer, comes new growth, she said.”
Catherine Clark, CEO of Netball Queensland welcomed our purple family, our First Nation’s Elders and members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander netball community to this and next week’s game.
“We’re proud of what we’ve been able to achieve and we hope to show you that commitment on court too”, she said.
The Firebirds will play their fifth game of the season against the Melbourne Vixens at home, the Nissan Arena, on Saturday, May 29 at 3pm. Viewers can also watch the game on the Netball Live App or on Telstra TV.
For more information about the upcoming season games, including how you can become a member of the purple family, visit firebirds.net.au
