Netball Australia Spirit Series morning tea
09 July 2026 Netball Central Sydney, NSW Before we begin, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather today, the Wangal people of the Eora nation and pay my respects to Elders past and present. It's such a privilege to join you today, especially during this milestone NAIDOC Week. This year's theme, "Fifty Years of Deadly", celebrates the voices of our community who have fought for truth, celebrated culture and kept showing up, year after year.
I'd also like to acknowledge the significance of the inaugural Spirit Series tournament, which celebrates our amazing First Nations and Indo-Pacific women representing netball on the international stage. There are few sports that embody the strength of community quite like netball. From the coaches and umpires who make the game possible, to the millions of players who bring it to life across Australia and the region.
Netball is the number one sport for women and girls in Australia and the Pacific. Its popularity is growing fast in Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East. And it is easy to see why.
When women and girls take to the court, they are given space to be strong, competitive and in command. The Goal Keeper directs the defence from the back of the court, reading the play, spotting the gaps, and marshalling Goal Defence and Wing Defence to close them down… Goal Attack drives the play from the other end, working with the Shooter and Wing Attack to create space and open a path into the circle… And the Centre sets the pace, covering every part of the court, calling the play, lifting the team and leading with strength.
Through sport, and particularly through netball, women are teammates, competitors, decision-makers and leaders. It's more than just a game. It grows women's confidence, and leadership skills, and strength.
And as it grows in popularity across our region – you can see its true power to support gender equality and equity… From the grassroots and community level, all the way up to elite competition and the professional league. That is why netball is such an important part of Australia's sports diplomacy in the region. The Australian Government is proud to have partnered with Netball Australia through the PacificAus Sports program since 2019.
The program creates opportunities for talented Pacific athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to compete at higher levels and build their professional skills. This week's Spirit Series is one example of that work in action. Bringing together First Nations athletes and athletes from across the region it showcases history, culture and achievement through the game we all love.
Today we will see the elite First Nations Black Swans in action, following their debut at the PacificAus Sports Netball Series in 2024. Their performance was a marker of their excellence as players, and of the strength, unity and resilience of First Nations communities. At this year's Spirit Series, alongside the PacificAus Sports Netball Series and the Tala-Tutone tour of Tonga, the region's netballers have another chance to test themselves at the highest level. another chance to showcase their talent and ambition, learn from each other, build leadership experience, and strengthen the skills of coaches and officials.
Together, these opportunities lift performance, strengthen international rankings and help Pacific teams build towards major events, including the 2027 Netball World Cup here in Sydney. I extend my thanks to Netball Australia and all the partners supporting the series, Confident Girls Foundation, the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation, Amperre, HCF and Nissan.
Thank you for your commitment to growing the game and creating opportunities across our region. And to the First Nations Black Swans and the Fiji Pearls, I wish you both the very best for today's match. May you all play with the camaraderie, strength and leadership that makes netball such a great game.
I look forward to welcoming you all here again next year for the 2027 Netball World Cup.