Netball Queensland and the Queensland Firebirds are thrilled to officially launch our inaugural Youth Advisory Board (YAB) as a further investment in the future of netball.
The 12-member YAB will in essence act as a ‘shadow board’ providing insights, advice, ideas and challenging the status quo.
In creating the board, the two key objectives are to listen to the voice of young people who will influence decision making and to develop the members into leaders for the future.
The board is the ‘brainchild’ of departing Netball Queensland and Queensland Firebirds CEO, Catherine Clark, who planted the seed for it back in 2017.
After completing the recruitment process earlier this year, the YAB commenced meetings in August 2021.
“My personal mantra is "lift as you climb" which embodies this initiative and the role we can all play in helping develop the next generation of leaders,” Clark said.
“I know I will look back on any positive impact we can have to help them dream big, or any golden nugget I can help these girls with and know I've played a part in their journey.
“That we, netball, have helped them on their way. How good is that?”
For Clark, this initiative is one she has driven from the concept stage to now launching it – which sees the Youth Advisory Board become a significant part of the legacy she leaves behind.
The Netball Queensland CEO’s hands on approach highlights how much she truly values a diversity of perspectives and believes netball’s future will be more successful if young people are informing our strategy.
“I had the privilege of interviewing our short list of 21 candidates. I was so impressed with the young women who applied; super smart, really aware and attuned to social issues,” Clark noted.
“It was energising and inspiring to listen to their ideas, concerns and dreams for netball.
“What’s so exciting is that we are supporting young emerging leaders who will be carving out their careers during a home Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The board consists of members ranging from the age of 12 to 23 from various locations across Queensland including Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast Townsville, and Toowoomba.
Heading the board as co-chairs are Brisbane 14-year-old Hannah Yiannakis and 23-year-old Kyra Seaborn of Townsville.
For Yiannakis, one of the youngest members, her involvement started after a conversation at a Netball Queensland conference with Clark who asked the teenager what more could be done.
“One of speakers asked everyone in the room to stand up, and then asked everyone to sit down in order from oldest to youngest, and I happened to be the last person standing,” Yiannakis explained.
“This made everyone come to the realisation that the youths’ voices aren’t being heard nearly as much as they need to be.
“Everyone wants to think they hear enough about the youth, and wants to think the youth are involved enough, but the reality is, our voices aren’t heard, and we aren’t as involved as we need to be. The people we need most involved in these conversations weren’t there.”
Seaborn is equally looking forward to the role of co-chair, and as the oldest board member said she would embrace the challenge and extra responsibility.
The 23-year-old said she felt she could offer some more life experiences to the younger members, though saw opportunities to learn from them also.
“We have some really young members on the board which is beyond exciting to be able to have their invaluable input,” Seaborn said.
“I for one cannot wait to see their development over the next 18 months and am hoping to be a part of their professional development.
“As a board, I am hoping we can introduce some new ways of thinking and spark the next generation of netballers and what will be needed to not only keep netball at the level it is now, but to continue evolving it as the participants evolve too.”
