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NAIDOC Netball Carnival has a different ball this year thanks to Shooting Star Chante Kickett

09 November 2020
Culture and Capability
A young woman with her black hair pulled back holds a white ball in her hands. On the ball are traditional Aboriginal designs. In the background is a blue poster with the words Shooting Stars and some more Aboriginal artwork.

Matches in the NAIDOC Netball Carnival in WA this year will be played with a ball that tells a story and a journey using Aboriginal symbols.

This year’s NAIDOC Netball Carnival will feature a bespoke ball designed by Narrogin, Shooting Stars participant, Chante Kickett.

Chante’s design was selected by an independent committee as it best represented the 2020 NAIDOC Week theme of Always Was, Always Will Be.

‘My design was inspired by my culture and tells a story and journey using Aboriginal symbols,’ said Chante.

‘It makes me feel really connected with my culture to know my ball design is going to be in the hands of many talented Indigenous women and youth.’

Shooting Stars is an educational program that uses sport and other tools to encourage greater school engagement amongst young Aboriginal girls and women.

Shooting Stars Executive Officer, Fran Haintz said the NAIDOC Netball Carnival plays an important role in showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

“It is so powerful for Aboriginal girls, like Chante, to have the chance to design the ball for the NAIDOC Netball Carnival each year. It allows them to showcase their mob, their living stories and to celebrate our shared Aboriginal culture,” said Fran.

Now in its 16th year, the NAIDOC Netball Carnival is both an opportunity to introduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander netballers to competitive netball, as well as a platform to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 “The NAIDOC Netball Carnival is a flagship event on the Netball WA calendar and Shooting Stars is honoured to be part of it once again this year, with Chante’s design being chosen for the NAIDOC netball,” said Fran.

Chante will travel to Perth to take part and represent the Narrogin based Cuballing Netball Club on Sunday 15 November.

Shooting Stars NAIDOC Netball Design from Netball in WA on Vimeo.

Find out more

The NAIDOC netball design competition, now in its third year is made possible thanks to Netball WA’s partnership with the Insurance Commission of Western Australia, promoting the Belt Up message.