The squad has flown to Melbourne, where the event will be held on Wurundjeri Country at Parkville’s State Netball Centre from 15–20 September.
WA finished sixth at the 2025 tournament after a weekend of grit, resilience and hard work.
Head Coach Josie Janz-Dawson said the team is excited heading into the third year of the tournament.
“We’ve got an exciting mix of GIG WANL athletes who have come through the Futures, 21/U and Open pathways,” she said.
“It’s also great to see the talent coming through, ready to play in their first year.”
West Coast Fever training partner Scarlet Jauncey returns to the side following a year away due to Netball World Youth Cup commitments, while Fever Reserves athlete Tierrah Miller also returns, bringing valuable experience to the squad.
“Having Scarlet and Tierrah back in the team this year gives us a lot of confidence,” Janz-Dawson said.
“With Scarlet being our captain and Tierrah being our vice-captain, their leadership will be invaluable to our younger players.”
The tournament is not only about competing, but also about connecting with First Nations athletes from across the country.
“It’s a great opportunity at the back end of the year to play tournament-style competition, while also sharing pride in being First Nations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander,” Janz-Dawson said
“It’s always a good way for the girls to continue to connect, play the sport they love and keeping participation numbers high for First Nations athletes.”
In exciting news, every match of the 2026 First Nations Tournament will be live and free thanks to a new broadcast partnership with National Indigenous Television.
Fans will be able to watch every match for free, with pool rounds and playoff matches broadcast across SBS On Demand and YouTube from Wednesday 16 September. Sunday’s medal matches will be broadcast free-to-air for the first time in the tournament’s history, live on NITV from 9:30am WST on 20 September.
2026 First Nations State Team squad:
Tayla Abraham (Wilman/Wagyl Kaip)
Zahara Alhabsji (Waibene Kaurareg)
Lola Collard (Noongar Whadjuk / Nunga Wirrangu Mirning)
Jade Dimer (Menang Noongar)
Sarah-Rose Garlett (Yamatji/Noongar)
Scarlet Jauncey (Yawuru)
Macy Jauncey (Yawuru)
Tierrah Miller (Yamatji/Noongar)
Bailey Mitchell (Worimi)
Nakeiyah Pitt (Erub)
Isabel Spry (Noongar)
Courtney White (Goreng / Wudjari / Menang Noongar)
Head Coach: Josie Janz-Dawson (Erub)
Assistant Coach: Roberta Ramirez-Smith (Njamal/Ngarluma)
Apprentice Coach: Maurice Palmer (Warrongu / Kaanju / Bwgcolman)
Training partners:
Dakota Dimer (Menang Noongar)
Ruby Guthridge (Noongar/Yamatji)
