It was one of the highlights of the Netball in NSW calendar last year and the First Nations All Stars are back and ready to face the GIANTS Academy again this Sunday at Ken Rosewall Arena.
The All Stars' clash with next generation of GIANTS will serve as a curtain-raiser to the GIANTS' Round 12 clash with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, a game which doubles as the Club's Official First Nations Round.
This year the First Nations side will be led by head coach Georgina Cohen, and she cannot wait for the game.
"I am so grateful for the opportunity presented to me, having been a part of the Netball NSW RAP Working group for many years... this (is an) opportunity to highlight the talent of the coaches and players across NSW, as well as the developing pathways within netball.
"Having Netball NSW and GIANTS Netball support this initiative, embeds this opportunity for future generations and will have impacts not just right now but in the future.
"The support offered from Ali Tucker, Head Coach of GIANTS Academy to step into this role, as the previous head coach for the Indigenous All Stars, as a role model and mentor in the field.... I am honour to walk alongside her."
Cohen says the All Stars initiative is making waves right across the state, with a large regional representation.
"The program is gaining traction across the NSW footprint and the trials were recognition of this," she says.
"Some of the players coming through the program I have worked with as a coach previously, also as soon as the dates were released, I received messages asking if I was going along as a support mechanism for others across NSW.
"The more the program has exposure will increase the knowledge and awareness to the pathways, and the more players will be wanting to take up the opportunities to be a part of the program.
"Obviously, the more players we are getting through the higher-level stages of netball pathways will be a true testament to the program's overall success. Being able to play at Ken Rosewall Arena prior to the GIANTS v Thunderbirds game this weekend will give the players and myself an amazing opportunity to experience the bright lights of the arena, as well as the chance to showcase their talent."
With the nation slowly getting back to normal and living with COVID-19, the All Stars were able to get some more training sessions in this year, which has been huge for the squad's connection.
"The team are more connected, more than just a group of players who have come together for training.... we were able to run workshops with the girls incorporating the Reconciliation Week theme: Be Brave, Make Change.
"This has built such amazing strength into the team that cannot be found in a normal training session. The opportunity for players to meet and greet, enhancing their own support networks, wherever they may be on their journey, builds a stronger sense of self as well as reassurance in the supports available to them.
"The team has come together well in the three training opportunities to create some structure to on-court plans, and build on foundations for the game this Sunday."
So what impact has the First Nations All Stars program had on Cohen herself?
"The program has continued to push me out of my comfort zone and enabled me to be in position to work alongside state level coaches, players, support staff and facilities," she says.
"Observing the strength of those who have walked the path before me serves as motivation to support those coming along the program, and for me to play a role in supporting those coming behind me.
"I feel without these opportunities I wouldn't push myself to do more learnings in my own coaching journey. Having this opportunity present itself has served as a reminder of the role I play in supporting others, having first hand knowledge of the pathways for players and coaches... it allows me to play a part now and in the future."
