In Week 7 of Term 3, participants from our 5 Kimberley Shooting Stars sites—Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Wyndham, Derby and Kununurra—gathered in Kununurra for the annual AFLX Carnival. This exciting event is always a highlight, offering participants the chance to connect, showcase their athletic abilities, and create lasting memories.
Thank you to Waringarri Media, Horizon Power, Garnduwa, Headspace, and OVAHS for all your involvement and ensuring the event was a success, fostering a strong sense of community.
We also loved having West Coast Fever players Kadie-Ann Dehaney and Ruth Aryang with us for the day, who enthusiastically supported the girls, were running water out onto the field, and spending time with participants between games. The Fever ambassadors shared insights into life as professional netballers, while the Shooting Stars girls swapped stories about their experiences growing up in the Kimberley. It was a visit filled that brought connection, inspiration, and plenty of laughter.
Kudos to the dedicated West Kimberley (Derby and Fitzroy Crossing) participants, who woke up at 3am for the long journey to Kununurra the day before the carnival. The West Kimberley and Halls Creek participants stayed in Kununurra for a fantastic few days. They enjoyed a special training session with Fremantle Football Club coordinators on the Tuesday evening before diving into the footy action on Wednesday at the AFLX Carnival. The participants also took part in an empowering workshop session with the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council that evening, followed by a day of relaxation and exploration around Kununurra, taking in local sights such as Kelly's Knob, Ivanhoe Crossing, and the water park.
Despite the intense heat, all AFLX teams played with tremendous heart and sportsmanship. Congratulations to the Kununurra team for winning the cup at the end of the day. Clearly strong players, many of the same participants played on the the girls EK Blues footy team, which took out the Grand Final in Darwin that weekend! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/iRnw6iS7Pcvs54kL/
The day after the carnival, visiting participants from the West Kimberley joined the Kununurra Shooting Stars girls for a Health and Wellbeing session led by staff from the Kununurra Women’s Refuge. The focus of the session was on relationships, helping the girls identify the characteristics of healthy versus unhealthy relationships. Later, the West Kimberley staff and participants explored the town's landmarks and then wrapped up the evening by supporting the local Shooting Stars netball team in their semi-final match.
Throughout the camp, staff were thrilled to see participants stepping out of their comfort zones, embracing new friendships, and showing a level of confidence and connection that they don’t always get to see in a typical school setting. The event was a rewarding experience for all involved, providing participants with the chance to grow, bond, and make unforgettable memories.
