The Kiama Netball Association (KNA) hosted its Indigenous round on August 17 despite the stormy weather from the night before.

Fortunately, the morning cleared up and the Indigenous round took place with young First Nations player Sianna Badger performing the Acknowledgement of Country.

Sianna Badger performing the Welcome to Country. Source: KNA Facebook.

Badger says she was proud to be able to represent her culture whilst participating in the sport that is her passion.

“It is important to me and it’s special because lots of Aboriginal people contribute to sport and I have lots of friends who are Aboriginal who do really well in netball. It makes me proud to be able to celebrate my culture whilst doing the sport that I love,” says Badger.

Also part of the round was a raffle for a painting called Winter Tree created by another young First Nations player Milly Wall. 

The inscription on the painting by Wall says: “This painting is called Winter Tree as it is a representation of when trees lose their leaves for winter, but the beauty is always beneath.”

'Winter Tree' painted by Milly Wall

There was also a sea of hands activity for the other young netballers to participate in.

The sea of hands. Source: KNA Facebook

KNA President Michelle Gregory believes it is vital that sport associations, no matter how young, support the inclusion and acknowledgement of First Nations’ people and the First Nations’ land that we live on.

“I think it’s important to acknowledge First Nations people and to inform the younger generations early on about their culture and Australia’s history,” says Gregory.

The indigenous round will be followed by Netball NSW hosting their Koori Gala Day on Sunday, 25 August. The gala day encourages teams of indigenous and non-indigenous players to come together for a fun day of netball.