The 16-year-old is in her first year as part of Netball WA’s Aboriginal Development Academy, a program for First Nations athletes that includes court skills sessions, off court education and personal development.
Shirlina, who has ties to Noongar Country, Queensland, the Philippines and Samoa said she has really enjoyed being part of the program alongside other First Nations athletes.
“I’m learning a lot, all of the different coaches coming in bring different ways of doing things that has taught me a lot,” she said.
One of those coaches is former Queensland Firebird and West Coast Fever player Beryl Friday.
“Beryl is from Queensland and I’m also from there, so that cultural connection of being from the same area is really cool,” she said.
Shirlina also credits playing with girls from other Mobs for teaching her different styles of netball.
“With girls who aren't from this area, they play a different style of netball than how we Noongar girls play,” she said.
“They might play a bit fiercer and have a bit more oomph to it, so that kind of influences me to have that bit of oomph and how I can work on my netball.
“We have girls who come from Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Albany so it makes you be like wow they’ve come all the way from there to be part of this program.”
While many of the athletes have plenty of netball experience across club and association level, a large focus of the program is the off-court learning.
“What I’m learning part of the Academy is more complex than some of my other training,” she said.
“What they've taught me about what to eat before and after games, I've brought that into my Saturday netball routine.
“I've been recording it and I'm seeing a difference between how I used to eat and what I do now with that change of nutrition.”
Shirlina has netball dreams of playing GIG WANL and for West Coast Fever like her idol Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, but has even greater dreams in a different kind of court.
“I want to be a defence attorney,” Shirlina said.
“I have plans for my future career with my focus on university.”
While some 16-year-olds might be undecided about their future plans, Shirlina is determined to make her dreams come true.
Her Mum and Nan have both worked within the justice system and have inspired her to reach for her dreams since she was young.
“Along with my netball, I’m making sure I can reach that goal with the classes I pick and what I’m doing,” she said.
“I want to be able to speak for First Nations people, teach people they have a voice and that they matter.”
Thank you to Fortescue for your support for the Aboriginal Development Academy.
