The carnival, held at Toowoomba Netball Association’s courts, featured 13 teams from primary and secondary schools with each team boasting a minimum of three First Nations students.
With an emphasis on participation and development, the carnival was the finish to the Rise to Be Deadly Firebirds program which ran in four schools in Toowoomba throughout Semester 2, 2023.
Thanks to a Safer Communities Grant from the Australian Government, the program used netball to engage with at-risk youth and improve engagement in education and community, decrease anti-social behaviour and boost physical health and empowerment.
A total of 97 students were involved in the program, with 68 of those participating in the carnival.
The four program schools wore student-designed uniforms supplied by NQ apparel partner Valour at the carnival which included five invitational schools (Pittsworth State High School, Oakey State High School, Fairholme College, Toowoomba State High School and Newtown State School).
All supporters received a certificate of participation while Rise to Be Deadly Firebirds school students Jacinta (Highfields State School), Sammy (Harlaxton State School, Eden (Bremer State High School), Ornikka and Kel’leetah (Harristown State School) were all presented with Deadly Spirit Awards.
Those awards were presented for the student’s exceptional leadership, courage and commitment to their culture, education and sporting journey during their involvement in the program.
