I never imagined as a young girl living in Inala, and going to school and playing netball, that I’d have gone on to do what I’ve done. All these years later I’m a Professor at the University of Queensland, and still super keen on netball, although netball’s so great, that it’s hard not to follow!
I played netball when I was at school and I loved it. As I got older, and my life changed and I had other responsibilities, I stopped playing. It was probably similar for others.
One thing I did not stop was my education. I had a few hiccups along the way, and was in and out of different universities and TAFEs over the years, but I kept going. I was the first one in my family to go to Uni. I know I have more choices now than I might have had as the young girl growing up in government housing who started work at 14 in the local fruit and veggie shop and was going to leave school.
I’m thankful that I didn’t.
I like netball from the point of view that it is about the team, skill, fitness, and the movement. I really like the flow and the movement. I like being with others to watch a sport where girls and women are appreciated and valued for their athleticism, tactics, strategy, speed, agility, capacity to think, and much more. It is a sport that you can go to watch alone, or be with family and friends, and that is welcoming and respectful to all.
I’m an avid Firebirds fan because they embody all of this, and were the first Queensland team!
I’ve witnessed how the Firebirds involve and reach out to different groups and organisations. For example, some of the players are also students at UQ and get involved in activities such as the Diamond Spirit Program. I can see the value in the Diamond Spirit Program for what it has to offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls from the perspective of sport and education.
As an Aboriginal woman, I would love to see more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls move through the ranks of netball to the Suncorp Super Netball level, and keep going with their education pathways too at places like UQ, or in other unis and TAFEs and training organisations.
We do need to see a greater investment in programs for girls such as the Diamond Spirit Program. Girls need to be encouraged and inspired to dream, vision and imagine, and they should have a choice in their imagining. For example, they should be able to dream and imagine they could be like Law Professor Megan Davis, who is advocating for the Uluru Statement and an Indigenous voice to Parliament, or Councillor Vonda Malone, Mayor, Torres Shire Council, or even be like the amazing athlete and Firebird Jemma Mi Mi!
#HEARTOFFIRE #IAMFIREBIRD
Bronwyn Fredericks
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement)
The University of Queensland
