Photo: Netball WA
Camera IconPhoto: Netball WA Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Netballers on a high after NAIDOC carnival

Ben SmithStirling Times

NETBALL WA’s Naidoc Netball Carnival has reinforced its status as one of Australia’s largest indigenous sporting events.

More than 3000 people, including 1000 athletes from over 110 teams, descended upon Wembley Sports Park on Wednesday for the carnival to celebrate Aboriginal culture.

This year’s event, which featured teams from both the metropolitan and regional area, featured a bespoke netball designed by Narrogin Grassroots Site player Shontae Jetta.

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Three major trophies were awarded on the day, with Bunbury Morditj Yorgas’ Emily Blurton winning the Josie Janz-Dawson Award for the Best and Fairest Player across all junior divisions, while the Senior MVP Award was won by Kylie Taylor from the Katanning Aboriginal Grassroots Site.

Meanwhile the Community Spirit Award was presented for the first time and awarded to Jatu Flyers’ Yvonne Kelly-Osborne.

Netball WA chief executive Simon Taylor said it was the highlight of their Naidoc Week celebrations.

“We are incredibly fortunate to host this event after inheriting it over a decade ago, following many years of hard work by the Indigenous community, and to see it continue its standing as one of the most distinguished events on our calendar is something we’re all proud of,” he said.

2019 NAIDOC Netball Carnival Winners

12U BLACK DIVISION – Bunbury Morditj Yorgas

12U RED DIVISION – Albany Grassroots Site

14U BLACK DIVISION – Albany Grassroots Site

14U RED DIVISION – Lightning Strikes

14U YELLOW DIVISION – Dream Team

14U ORANGE DIVISION – Birdi Birdi

16U BLACK DIVISION – Albany Grassroots Site

16U RED DIVISION – Fremantle Thunder

18U DIVISION – Southern Districts Netball Association

OPEN D DIVISION – Djookan Yorgas

OPEN C DIVISION – Morditj Yorgas

OPEN B DIVISION – Noranda Grassroots Site

MIXED DIVISION – Kwinana Grassroots Site

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