Inaugural Indigenous Round held in Narrogin and Districts Netball Association headlined by Cuballing and Wagin

Narrogin and Districts Netball Association hosted their inaugural Indigenous Round last Friday.

With a strong participation of indigenous players, the Association decided to take steps to celebrate the players, their culture and recognise the importance of understanding and reconciliation.

After the acknowledgement to country presented by Jayeisha Ford, Shooting Star’s Latoya Bolton-Black gave an inspiring speech on the Black Diamonds research project.

Leanne Kickett, the NDNA’s Aboriginal grassroots co-ordinator, took time to praise and give recognition to NDNA in taking the first steps to acknowledge the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

At half-time the granddaughters of Joan Hill, a local elder in Narrogin, read a small biography on her life and it was an honour to have her attend the Indigenous Round.

Following the formalities, the NSHS Shooting Stars girls presented their ancestral dancing which was a spectacular sight.

The evening activities then proceeded with the special match between Cuballing 1 and Wagin 1 in the A1 competition, with both teams wearing specially-designed Indigenous uniforms.

Cuballing emerged the winners in a keenly-contested game, claiming the game 55-42.

The game was fast paced from the start with Cuballing taking advantage of Wagin’s unforced errors and grabbing multiple rebounds to open up a 14-5 advantage at the first change.

The second quarter was a fantastic match up with Cuballing ahead by 11 at half-time.

Cuballing made some changes to their defence in the third stanza which was instrumental in extending their lead, outscoring Wagin 12-6 for the quarter.

Wagin still kept up with the pace of a young Cuballing side but missed chances to capitalise when turnovers were presented.

Aaliyah Ugle and Bolton-Black passed flawlessly to Cuballing goal shooter Regina Kickett, who hardly missed a goal.

Wagin had a much stronger final quarter as they outscored Cuballing 17-13, Jaelyn Ranieri and Courtney Webb shooting superbly for Wagin.

However Cuballing held their nerve until the final whistle to come away with a well-deserved victory.

In the other round seven A1 matches, Wickepin 1 defeated Williams 1, 49-35, and Pingelly 1 prevailed 53-43 over Flames 1.