Netball Australia First Nations Tournament returns

Netball Australia has announced the return of the First Nations Tournament, aimed at celebrating and enhancing First Nations talent, culture, and community through the sport of netball.

Following a successful pilot event in 2024, the tournament is set to become a permanent fixture on the national netball calendar, scheduled for August this year.

With the backing of Visit Victoria as the official host partner, and additional support from Suncorp and the Confident Girls Foundation, the 2025 edition will expand from three to five days of competition. The tournament will take place at Frankston’s Jubilee Park Stadium from Wednesday, August 20, to Sunday, August 24.

Commenting on the announcement, Netball Australia CEO, Stacey West, said: “The First Nations Tournament presents a space for culture and netball to thrive side by side.”

The inaugural 2024 tournament culminated in a historic victory for Queensland, with Murrawari goaler Lily Cubby earning the title of player of the tournament.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Cubby, remarked, “I’m incredibly excited to see the First Nations tournament return in 2025.”

“It’s such an honour to represent my family and mob on this platform—it means the world to me.”

The annual inclusion of the First Nations Tournament comes alongside several initiatives launched in the past 18 months aimed at supporting First Nations participation in netball, such as the establishment of the Black Swans national squad and the introduction of a First Nations Coaching Course.

Netball Australia’s General Manager, First Nations, Ali Tucker-Munro, added: “Watching the girls play with such pride, not only in their sporting abilities but also in their cultural heritage, was a real privilege,”

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, concluded: “We’re proud to support the next generation of Indigenous netballers taking part in the First Nations Tournament, which gives players from around the country a chance to showcase their skill and passion for the game.”

He further emphasised the role of netball as a cultural connector, noting that events like this create more opportunities for First Nations athletes to pursue their sporting dreams.

In collaboration with Netball Australia’s eight Member Organisations, this event has been shaped into a truly national competition, showing a collective commitment to promoting inclusivity in netball.

The tournament will feature Under-23 representative teams from every state and territory, including participants from Victoria, ACT, Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.

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