‘Our Place to Play’ Netball WA Indigenous Artwork 2024-2026
In 2023, Netball WA commissioned Contemporary Aboriginal Artist Jilalga Murray from Jilalga Designs to create an Indigenous Artwork to celebrate Netball in Western Australia as the organisation prepared for its 100th year in 2024.
Netball WA along with West Coast Fever have a strong connection to First Nations People and Country, highlighted by their support and championing of the Shooting Stars Program.
Jilalga said her ‘Our Place to Play’ design celebrated the diversity and inclusivity of Netball in our community.
“As an Aboriginal artist, and past member of the Port Hedland Netball Association, I am proud that I can do my part to PLAY, GROW and INSPIRE Netball to a wider audience,” Jilalga said.
“Symbols of the land and sky are scattered across the piece, showcasing the wonderful diversity and ancient landscape in WA. We are proud that people of all races, abilities, genders and ages can play Netball in WA.”
Jilalga said a woven basket positioned above the land symbolises the players as part of Netball WA’s Athlete Pathway with West Coast Fever held securely in place at the centre of the basket and artwork.
From The Artist
As a supporter, a casual netball player and an award-winning artist, I present ‘Our Place to Play’ a Contemporary Aboriginal art piece to celebrate all that is Netball here in Western Australia.
My vibrant, yet complex work pays homage to those who play, coach, umpire, support and manage thousands of games each year across our beautiful State.
As an Aboriginal artist, and past member of the Port Hedland Netball Association, I am proud that I can do my part to PLAY, GROW and INSPIRE Netball to a wider audience.
‘Our Place to Play’ celebrates the diversity and inclusivity of Netball in our community. We are proud that people of all races, abilities, genders and ages can play Netball in WA. I’ve represented this in the background of the artwork, where you can see colourful and vibrant strokes of colour circling around the land. Symbols of the land and sky are scattered across the piece, showcasing the wonderful diversity and ancient landscape in WA.
From the south-west to the north-west and everywhere in between, we all play and operate our clubs on lands of First Nations People. It’s important we all gather with a good heart, pay our respects, support each other and have fun playing the game we love on Country.
Gently positioned above the land, we see a woven basket with threads strong and secure. This basket symbolises the players as part of Netball WA’s Athlete Pathway. They come from different backgrounds tied by a common thread, they are determined and committed. They are young and they develop their skills as they go. They weave their way around the obstacles of life and the levels required to succeed. As they do so their journey deepens as does their desire to excel and achieve success. Here their potential is limitless - they can go all the way to the top!
Finally, held securely in place at the centre of the basket and artwork, we find the place of West Coast Fever. The threaded walls of the basket surround the team and offer unwavering support. With the backing of their coaches, management, sponsors, family and devoted fans West Coast Fever take on the best in Australia. They know who they are and what they stand for. The ‘Spirit of the Fever’ which is mighty powerful will be felt by all!