Lutruwita netballers aim for glory

Andrew Mathieson – August 17, 2024

Lutruwita, representing Netball Tasmania, has named its playing squad for the inaugural First Nations national tournament; and a familiar surname inside the sport appears on the team sheet twice.

Pinterrairer woman Fiona Geappen coaches the side that also contains daughter Abbey.

Geappen is a former Australian under-21s player and also had a stint at Melbourne Phoenix during the club’s early days two decades ago.

She has been an ongoing coach for a number of Tasmanian under-age elite teams in recent years and completed a First Nations coaching course that focused on cultural belonging and inclusion.

While Lutruwita will enter the nationals as one of the underdogs, Geappen believes the tournament held next month will be about more than just winning on the scoreboard.

“As a proud Palawa woman, I feel very honoured to be selected as head coach of our Tasmanian team participating in the inaugural First Nations national tournament,” she said.

“What an amazing opportunity for our young First Nations players and coaching staff to enhance our cultural understanding of our ancestors, while building belief and positive growth on court for future years.”

Netball Australia’s First Nations engagement lead, Ali Tucker-Munro, echoed Geappen’s sentiments, reinforcing the importance of the inaugural tournament in Melbourne.

The tournament has come about after criticism of Netball Australia over the years for a lack of inclusion of First Nations players – including in the annual First Nations round in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball competition, highlighted by the famous Jemma Mi Mi incident.

“I cannot wait to see our girls in action, as well as the opportunity to connect with mob from across Australia, who share the same passion and love for our great game that I do,” Tucker-Munro said.

“The introduction of this First Nations’ tournament demonstrates the commitment from Netball Australia and all member organisations to take the required steps to ensure our sport is a safe-inclusive space for First Nations Australians, while recognising, nurturing the First Nations talent we know exists within our communities across Australia.

“I would also like to thank our partners, who have demonstrated a deep understanding of what it means to invest in programs that create opportunities specifically for our strong staunch First Nations women and girls.”

The tournament will follow the footsteps of cricket’s National Indigenous Championships that includes all six states and two territories competing.

Netball Australia said the Lutruwita team has evolved from its pilot program earlier this year that led one of its players, Sophie Brewer, to represent First Nations Black Swans.

“We are thrilled to be able to announce the players and coaches of the first Lutruwita team,” Netball Australia said.

“The team is comprised of First Nations athletes proud to represent the Palawa people of Lutruwita.”

Lutruwita players will also wear a strip featuring a design by prominent Palawa artist Takira Simon-Brown, who said: “This design has been inspired by pulp of the pigface, scattered about on country glowing under the sunlight.”

LUTRUWITA SQUAD

Head Coach

Fiona Geappen (Pinterrairer)

Assistant Coach

Rachel Kerslake (Mannalargenna)

Players

Matilda Allen (Wiradjuri)

Sophie Brewer (Wiradjuri)

Madison Dove (Pinterrairer)

Abbey Geappen (Pinterrairer)

Molly Green (Truwulway)

Matilda Kaye (Mannalargenna)

Asha Lowe (Melukerdee)

Asha Mannie (Trawlwoolway)

Bellah Parker (Pydairrerme)

Cara Watkins (Larrakia/Jingili Mudburra)

Training Partner

Annabelle Gatehouse(Tjwarl / Dambimangari)

Development Player

Bianca Hammersley (Wybalenna/Truwanna)