By the time Halle (15 years old) and Abbey Jack (13 years old) reach the courts, they’ve already covered more kilometres than what their Perth-based teammates might cover in a season.
The sisters, who come from Margaret River Netball Association, had never played together before due to their age gap. Through the Aboriginal Development Academy, they have been able to deepen their relationship, not just as sisters, but teammates.
Halle said having each other there helps their learning.
“It's been good just having someone to learn off, if you don't understand something,” she said.
“We didn’t know many of the other girls because we live way down south, so it's just easy if one of us gets it, we can teach the other.”
The sisters, who admitted to being closest when they’re playing netball, find their connection together on the court.
“It’s like a weird connection, on court you're not connected with the other girls the same way, I know how she plays,” Halle said.
“I know her style,” Abbey said.
While Halle plays for joy, Abbey has big netball dreams.
“I want to work to a really high level, like West Coast Fever,” she said.
As regional athletes, the Jack sisters spend a fair amount of time in the car making the journey to Perth.
“If training is at 10am we’ll drive up that morning, probably leaving home at 6am,” Halle said.
“If it starts any earlier, we’ll drive the night before.”
“We spend a lot of time sleeping in the car,” Abbey said.
The long journey is worth it for the Jack sisters, learning and growing during each session of the Aboriginal Development Academy.
“The off-court sessions were really fun. It was just really good learning about other things as well as netball,” Halle said.
“I think it's just helped us to become better athletes and how to deal with things other than how you play.”
Abbey said: “You have your playing intelligence, but then you also have your off-court intelligence, which is just as important. And how to take care of yourself.”
The Aboriginal Development Academy is made up of athletes from across WA, bringing together girls with different styles into one group.
“Where we’re from, it’s a small town, so this is not the same as playing with people you know,” Halle said.
“When you play with people who are better than you, you also step up.
“We’re also some of the only Indigenous girls playing where we’re from, so playing in the Academy brings a sense of community.”
Thank you to Fortescue for their support of the Aboriginal Development Academy.
