Netball WA General Manager - Community Netball Beth Harvey said the carnival provides opportunities for coaches, umpires, players, and other officials to gain valuable experience against other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teams, while being able to compete in their local area.
“Netball WA is pleased to be able to host the inaugural 2024 Southern NAIDOC Carnival in Katanning with the generous support of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries via the Inclusive Participation Program funding and Fortescue as the Presenting Partner of our NAIDOC Carnivals,” she said.
“The funding Netball WA receives goes directly to support Indigenous girls and young women to travel from their town to Katanning to participate and realise this opportunity to play netball in a different environment to their grass roots competition.”
Binalup Grassroots Site Coordinator Cheri Muir said the formation of a NAIDOC carnival in the Southern Region was both needed and welcomed.
“There are so many talented players down this way, and they can’t always make it to Boorloo NAIDOC, or the funding isn’t available to allow everyone to attend, so I’m glad they will be seen at Southern NAIDOC,” Ms Muir said.
The Carnival is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of First Nations peoples in netball in Western Australia.
Ms Muir said holding a NAIDOC Carnival in the Southern region opens the competition to even more athletes and encourages participation from different levels.
“All the players who are playing for Albany in the Southern NAIDOC Carnival are involved in our Grassroots Site program.
“This is the first time in years Albany has been able to bring an Opens team to an event like this because the event is being held in the Southern region.
“I see NAIDOC carnivals as a pathway for our young Indigenous players, a day to be seen and to show how talented they are.”
