Earlier this month, Shooting Stars busses full of young netballers made the trip from Whyalla to Adelaide for the Nunga Netball Carnival, South Australia’s largest First Nations netball tournament.
There were five representing Whyalla in various age categories: Under 11s, 13s, 15s, 17s and 23s. Remarkably, all teams advanced to the first round of finals.
Among the group, two Whyalla team members achieved individual accolades – one was named MPV for their grade, while the other was awarded Runner Up MVP.
Stacey Gray, Shooting Stars' SA Operations Manager, expressed her pride in the group’s performance, not just for their athletic achievements but for the sense of community that emerged:
“This event wasn’t just about demonstrating talent; it was about coming together as a Whyalla team and also a broader community across SA and NT. Everyone enjoyed the carnival and the celebratory dinner we shared together on Saturday night.”
A major highlight at the Nunga event was the presentation of the Vanessa Dempsey Award to Darralee Gibson. This award recognised Darralee’s outstanding dedication to the engagement and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander netball participants.
https://sa.netball.com.au/news/darralee-gibson-named-2024-vanessa-dempsey-award-recipient
Shooting Stars has had a long-standing partnership with Darralee. Stacey reflected on the impact she has in Whyalla:
“She’s a key figure in our community, especially for young people. Her work is centered on giving young people opportunities in life.”
Darralee has been a dedicated Aboriginal Youth Worker in Whyalla for over a decade, and from her role at the local Youth Centre, she has been instrumental in driving participation in sporting events like the Nunga Carnival.
Her efforts helped drive the re-formation of the Whyalla Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Committee, along with the local Shooting Stars team.
“We’re incredibly grateful for Darralee’s commitment to our youth. Seeing her recognized with this award was a proud moment for all of us,” Stacey added.
Darralee’s leadership and passion continue to inspire and nurture the next generation, driving positive change in her community.
