THREE Tyntynder netballers have capped off a successful Budgies National Indigenous Junior Netball Carnival, earning selection to represent their country and culture in Australian Indigenous netball teams.
Audrey Domaille and Issy Corrie were both selected for the Australian Indigenous netball team’s under-16 squad, while Violet Corrie was selected in the under-14 national side.
The three girls travelled to represent Victoria in Tallebudgera on the Gold Coast earlier this month, and were put through their paces in a selection of trials and games.
The week-long carnival provides the opportunity for Indigenous netballers from around the country to earn national selection, while getting to know other players and build connections.
Domaille told The Guardian she had “a really big smile” on her face and “felt so happy” when she got the selection news.
“Each person had their name called out individually, and we each went up one by one,” she said.
“To hear my name called out, as well as Issy and Violet, it was just a really fun experience.
“It feels really great; it’s a really exciting opportunity to get to play with Issy, as well as all of the other girls from all over Australia.”
Domaille said the chance to interact with other schoolgirls who took their netball seriously was “fantastic”.
“I’ve only had a chance to speak to a few of the other girls, but they all seem really nice and are very good netballers,” she said.
“It’s fantastic to have gotten the opportunity to meet so many people who are similar to you, and good to represent ourselves and our culture while also experiencing new things too.”
Domaille, who usually plays goal defence for Tyntynder, said she couldn’t wait to take to the court and play defence for her country.
All three girls will now take their talents to the court later this year, representing the Australian Indigenous netball team against schoolgirl netballers from overseas.
They didn’t yet know where they will be taking part in the School Sports Australia International Schoolgirls Netball Challenge, but Domaille hoped it would also be a chance to travel.
“I’d love the chance to play in New Zealand or Fiji, but we’re not sure where we will be going yet,” she said.
Violet Corrie said her selection made her feel accomplished.
“It feels like my netball ability has been recognised, and that I’ve really accomplished something big,” she said.
“We haven’t played a lot of representative netball yet – we played interleague last year, but nothing like this.
“It felt really good when I was selected for the team, it’s not like many people get an opportunity like this.”
In a Facebook post earlier this week, Tyntynder Football Netball Club expressed their pride, stating the club was “extremely proud of these three girls”.
