The remarkable history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people as well as their passion for netball was on display at the 2022 Midwest NAIDOC Netball Carnival in Geraldton.
The Carnival began in 2004 with 20 teams registered and has grown to accommodate more than 110 teams from across the State with 122 teams taking part in 2022.
This year’s event saw a special NAIDOC netball used for games featuring Aboriginal artwork designed by. The artwork was designed by 16-year-old Wongutha/Yamatji artist Lakeisha Whitby from the Goldfields and who is also a participant of the Leonora Shooting Stars program.
The unique NAIDOC netball is proudly supported by the Insurance Commission of WA to program the “Belt Up” message directly in the hands of carnival participants.
The theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week is ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’, which emphasises the proud history in getting up, standing up and showing up. This is a genuine commitment to move beyond acknowledgement and to narrow the gap between aspiration and reality.
The newly established Mara Gurdurdu ‘Hand Heart’ Award, based on talent identification from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander selectors throughout the day, was presented by Aunty Kathy Councillor to the overall MVP from each age division Each winner demonstrated a commitment to the following statement:
With my hand on my sacred heartbeat, I promise to have a good heart and a kind spirit in all that I do in life and in the game of netball to play in the true spirit of the game with teamwork, fairness, and commitment. With my hand on my heart, this is my promise to the club and myself.
The winners of the 2022 Mara Gurdurdu ‘Hand Heart’ Award were:
12U – Savannah Beasley
14U – Honey Little
16U – Jazira Farrel
Open Ladies – Shanelle Farmer-Jetta
The Grand final winners and MVP for each Grand Final match were:
12U
Premiers: Lil Nyarlus
Grand Final MVP: Savannah Beasley
Runners Up: Carnarvon
14U
Premiers: GSAC
Grand Final MVP: Halo Colley
Runners Up: Carnarvon
16U
Premiers: Yungatha
Grand Final MVP: Joyce Hale
Runners Up: Phoenixs
Open Ladies
Premiers: Bundarra
Grand Final MVP: Courtney Cox
Runners Up: Tharlbarra Jurdus
