Abraham is a shooter who currently plays for the Southside Demons in the 21/U division of the Gold Industry Group WA Netball League. She has progressed through the Netball WA pathways, spending two years in the futures program and was selected in the 17/U State side last year.
One of the biggest drawcards of the program for Abraham was the opportunity to learn under coach and former West Coast Fever player, Josie Janz-Dawson. Having already experienced her coaching at Demons, Abraham said she wanted to be part of a program where she could continue developing under her guidance.
“Josie’s a really good coach,” Abraham said.
“I wanted to be able to go through a program where I’m coached by her and learn more.”
That learning has already helped Abraham think differently about her role in the shooting circle.
She said Janz-Dawson’s explanation of movement and different shooting styles had opened her eyes to the many ways a player can approach the position.
“I do move quite a lot, but Josie, when she explains what kind of shooter you are, that really opened my eyes to being able to play different kinds of shooting ways,” she said.
So far, Abraham said the experience has been positive, with the team bringing together an exciting mix of experience and emerging talent.
“We’ve got a really good team this year, lots of experience and lots of younger players as well, so it’s a good mix.”
Abraham is looking forward to travelling with the group and testing herself against a different level of opposition.
“I'm looking forward obviously to the competition but also being able to go away with the girls,” she said.
Abraham said there is also a clear difference in the way the First Nations State Team connects on and off the court. She said the maturity and experience across the court, particularly through the midcourt, has helped the shooting circle flow.
“When I’m playing here, I feel like it just flows in the circle,” Abraham said.
That connection, Abraham said, is strengthened by the cultural foundation of the program.
“Having that cultural element to a team, it’s really nice,” she said.
For Abraham, that visibility is also important for the next generation of First Nations athletes. She said the program shows young players there are multiple ways to reach high-level netball and that support exists outside the traditional pathway.
“It shows them that there is an opportunity for them to be able to play high-level netball,” Abraham said.
“Having this State Team for First Nations girls really helps, because it shows that there are people that will help.”
After setting big netball goals at the beginning of the year, Abraham said her focus has shifted back to finding joy in the game, something the First Nations State Team has already helped restore.
“At the start of this year, I had a lot of netball goals,” she said.
“I still do, but right now it’s for the enjoyment of my game. Coming back here, with these girls, it definitely has helped with the enjoyment of my netball.”
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 the first in the tournament’s history to be broadcast free-to-air, live on NITV from 11:30am AEST on 20 September.
