Courtney has been an official Shooting Stars ambassador for nearly six years, visiting sites all over WA to connect with the program participants. After a trip to our Narrogin sites earlier this year, we had a chat with Courtney about the visit, and what it’s been like to work with the organisation:
So, what do you enjoy about visiting the Shooting Stars sites?
"I really enjoy seeing the girls I’ve worked with previously over the past couple of years, to see how much they’ve grown and to reconnect with them. I think my life can be so hectic and busy, but when you go out to a site and get to hang out with the girls, I think they just bring you down to earth, bring you back to being a human. Obviously as much as a they enjoy netball, they just enjoy me, as a human first and foremost, so… yeah seeing their smiles and their excitement and the banter, just fills my cup back up."
What was the highlight from your recent visit to Narrogin?
"Honestly just seeing everyone… always seeing Dakoda, who I’ve known since she was a year seven, and this year she graduates so that’s pretty special. And the primary school kids were a lot of fun – they usually give the most banter and excitement, so I think it’s really nice to just have a lot of fun whether it’s netball-related or just a bit of cheek here and there. I really enjoy hanging out with those girls."
What does First Nations Round mean to you?
"To represent our longest living culture… it’s just a beautiful round, it’s beautiful to have you Shooting Stars girls down, supporting us, seeing you in the crowd. And the lead-up to it – doing the dress blessing, having the girls here in training for leadership camp – I think it’s all-encompassing and it’s just a fantastic round that the whole group here at West Coast Fever love celebrating."
What’s next for Fever’s relationship with Shooting Stars?
"This year I’m really excited because all the West Coast Fever girls have ambassador sites. I think it’s going to be really exciting for them all to see the program and then have the same experiences that Vezzy, Jhaniele and I have had. And I think the greater that connection is between the club and the charity – Shooting Stars – the more we can hopefully help the program continue to grow."
In addition to Courtney’s visit to Narrogin this year, Jhaniele has visited the Shooting Stars girls in Collie, Sunday has had a visit with Kiara College, and Rudi has been out to our Merredin site. With more visits still to come this year, we can’t wait for the Shooting Stars girls to spend time getting to know the Fever ladies, and vice versa!
