The team heads into the Netball Australia First Nations Tournament, running from Tuesday to Sunday at Victoria's home of netball, Parkville's State Netball Centre, with a record few others in the competition can match: gold in the tournament's inaugural 2024 edition, followed by a hard-fought silver in 2025.
For Head Coach Sharon Finnan-White OAM, that history is treated less as pressure and more as a foundation to build upon.
“Having won gold in 2024 and silver in 2025, we understand the standard required,” said Finnan-White, a Dunghutti/Biripi/Gumbaynggirr woman, Firebird No.17 and former Australian Diamond.
“However, our focus is firmly on this year's team, building a strong collective identity, honouring the legacy of those who have come before us and producing our best netball in every match.”
It's a mindset that reflects the calibre of leadership Finnan-White brings to the program, built on decades of elite netball experience and a deep understanding of what it means to represent culture on a national stage.
“It is an incredible honour to once again lead the Queensland First Nations team,” she said.
“Our athletes have worked incredibly hard to prepare for Melbourne, and we will enter the tournament determined to proudly represent our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, families, communities and Queensland.”
This year's 12-strong selection, supported by four training partners, spans an extraordinary breadth of Country – from the Torres Strait heritage of Maryke Babia (Mabuyag and Saibai Island), to the North Queensland connections of Jorja James (Gudjal/Dyribal/Mamu/Bwgcolman), through to Ella O'Neil (Palawa), who carries Tasmanian heritage into the Queensland dress.
There's continuity within the group too.
Mikayla Cubby (Murrawari/Kamilaroi) and Aaliyah Sheppard (Nunukul/Kanolu) were among the new faces who helped Queensland claim silver in 2025, and both return this year with valuable tournament experience to share with teammates stepping onto this stage for the first time.
Among the training partners is Demi Martyn (Kullilli), continuing in the role she held in 2025 as the youngest of the netball-playing Martyn sisters - a reminder this program is as much about pathway and growth as it is about medals.
For Finnan-White, however, results are only part of the equation.
“While we want to perform strongly on court, success is also about creating a culturally safe environment where every athlete feels supported, connected and proud of who they are and where they come from,” she said.
“We want our players to embrace their cultural identity, celebrate the diverse Nations they represent and leave the tournament knowing they have grown as athletes while contributing to something much bigger than themselves.”
That philosophy runs through every layer of the program, with Finnan-White supported by Assistant Coach Samantha Dippel (Wulli Wulli/Wakka Wakka) and Team Manager Kylie McCartney (Barkindji/Murrawari), both instrumental in shaping the culturally grounded environment that has become a hallmark of Queensland's First Nations pathway.
As the squad prepares to farewell home soil for Melbourne, the message from camp is clear: the gold and silver are history now. This team is determined to write its own chapter, built on pride, connection and performance.
For fixtures, results and details on how to watch the Netball Australia First Nations Tournament, visit the tournament hub: https://netball.com.au/first-nations-tournament.
Queensland U23 First Nations Team
Maryke Babia (Mabuyag and Saibai Island)
Savanna Beale (Gudjal/Gugu Badhun/Garawa)
Makayla Cubby (Murrawari/Kamilaroi)
Lucille Heath (Kamilaroi)
Jorja James (Gudjal/Dyribal/Mamu/Bwgcolman)
Brook Lacey (Ewamian)
Georgia Lindsay (Gudjal)
Kiesha Muckan (Kabi Kabi/Yuggera/Boigu Island/Quandamooka)
Ella O'Neil (Palawa)
Aaliyah Sheppard (Nunukul/Kanolu)
Lacy Triffett (Waanyi/Mitakoodi)
Lily Tschuna (Wirangu/Koktha/Yunkunytjatjara/Dunghutti)
Training Partners: Georgia Keating (Kuku Yalanji/Kuuku Ya'u), Demi Martyn (Kullilli), Taylah Henry (Girramay/Jirrbal), Layla Tabuai (Ayth Koedal)
Staff:
Coach: Sharon Finnan-White OAM (Dunghutti/Biripi/Gumbaynggirr)
Assistant Coach: Samantha Dippel (Wulli Wulli/Wakka Wakka)
Team Manager: Kylie McCartney (Barkindji/Murrawari)
