Based in Townsville and drawing on FNAE’s statewide programs and resources, the Roos will line up alongside the Capricorn Claws, Mackay Monarchs, Far North Flames and North Queensland United from the 2027 season onwards.
Launched in 2025, Ruby North provides leading athletes from northern and central Queensland with a competitive stage to develop and showcase their talent.
FNAE founder Sharon Finnan-White OAM said the new licence was a significant milestone for the organisation and First Nations netball.
“It will provide talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes with an important next step from community and academy programs into Queensland’s high-performance netball system, while remaining proudly connected to their culture, identity and community throughout their high-performance journey,” Finnan-White said.
“FNAE’s ongoing partnership with Netball Queensland, collaborating across talent identification, competitions and high-performance pathways, is producing strong results, with almost half of the Queensland First Nations State Squad emerging from FNAE pathway programs.
“This demonstrates the impact of providing culturally safe and accessible opportunities, guided by First Nations knowledge and leadership, where athletes can develop their game, celebrate their identity and feel a genuine sense of belonging.”
A proud Dunghutti, Gumbaynggirr and Biripi woman, Finnan-White is Queensland Firebird No.17, a former club captain and one of three Indigenous women to represent the Australian Diamonds. FNAE now operates programs and teams in Townsville, Cairns, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Cloncurry and Brisbane with plans to add program delivery to Mount Isa.
Netball Queensland General Manager - Netball Teale Blessington said the inclusion of the FNAE Roos was an important step in strengthening regional and First Nations pathways across the state.
“Ruby North was created to provide more meaningful competition opportunities for athletes across northern and central Queensland, and the addition of the FNAE Roos further strengthens that purpose,” Blessington said.
“This expansion recognises the strength of FNAE’s pathway work and creates another culturally safe, high-performance environment where talented First Nations athletes can continue to develop, compete and pursue their netball ambitions while staying connected to community.”
For more information on Ruby North, click here.
