Having missed last year’s inaugural tournament due to an ACL injury, Brianna, 22, will line up for a Queensland team itching to defend the title it won impressively in 2024.
Adding to the occasion is the opportunity to line-up alongside older sister Ebony (24), who was a part of that title-winning team last year.
The family link goes even further with the pair’s younger sister Demi (18) named as a training partner by Queensland First Nations Head Coach Sharon Finnan-White.
“It's really, really special to play with them in the culturally safe environment, because we haven't played together since we were like 10,” Brianna said.
“Obviously we have that connection off the court, but on the court we take that sisterly connection on as well. Like we just know where each other wants the ball and we just give it.
“I'm very excited.”
The Martyns are Kullilli women and in addition to sharing the court with her sister on a national stage, Brianna is equally eager to honour her family’s background at the tournament in a Queensland dress.
“Obviously representing your state, playing the sport you love, is an amazing achievement, and to be able to represent our culture makes it even more special,” she said.
“In our family's history, our culture hasn't been well-known or celebrated. So I also feel really special and proud to be able to be the first people in our family to present it at a state level and be proud of it alongside other girls with the same values, and just try and be a role model for young Indigenous athletes coming through as well.”
Currently starring for the Sunshine Coast Thunder in the HPNL Sapphire Division, the setback of the ACL injury which ruled Brianna out of last year’s First Nations Tournament also brought positives including a greater resilience and drive to achieve her on-court goals.
The midcourter not only missed out on last year’s First Nations tournament but has also had to bide her time for a chance to represent Australia as a member of the Black Swans squad after being selected in the 20-strong squad by Netball Australia earlier this year.
The chance to appear for both teams was a key motivator for Brianna during her injury recovery.
“I was so motivated, especially since last year I was named in the first Black Swans team and then did my knee a couple weeks after that came out, so obviously I was heartbroken,” she said.
“Then the announcement of this team came out and Ebony luckily got to play.
“I watched her and they won gold and that was amazing. So that definitely motivated me to come back even stronger, because my goal is obviously to play for this team and Black Swans.
“I was extremely motivated and driven and I'm just so happy to be able to go with the team to Melbourne this year.”
Queensland will be travelling to Melbourne eager to retain the title won so convincingly last year with Firebird No.17 and former Australian Diamond Finnan-White again at the helm of a selection which includes just four new faces including Brianna, Makayla Cubby, Townsville-based Charlie Duke and Aaliyah Sheppard.
Brianna said the spirit and camaraderie of the team has hopes high heading into the event.
“When we hit the court, it was kind of just like second nature,” she said.
“We connected really fast. Our ball movement was really fast down the court.
“And Ebony said the same thing last year - the girls just got along so well off the court and that allowed them to win that gold on the court.”
2025 Queensland First Nations Team
Lily Cubby (Murrawarri)
Makayla Cubby (Murrawarri)
Charlie Duke (Kamilaroi)
Brook Lacey (Ewamian)
Georgia Lindsay (Gudjal)
Brianna Martyn (Kullilli)
Ebony Martyn (Kullilli)
Jayden Molo (Waanyi)
Kiesha Muckan (Nunukul / Kabi Kabi / Boigu Island)
Aaliyah Sheppard (Nunukul / Kanolu)
Training Partners
Savanna Beale (Gudjal / Garawa), Demi Martyn (Kullilli), Alison Peacock (Bidjara / Dhunghatti), Tarna Stewart (Bindal / Gunggandji / Kalkadoon / Thursday, Moa and Darnley Island), Lily Tschuna (Wirangu / Kokatha / Dhanghatti), Luen Wilkie (Wakka Wakka / Ghungalu)
Staff
Head Coach: Sharon Finnan-White OAM (Dunghutti / Gumbaynggirr / Biripi)
Assistant Coach: Sam Dippel (Wulli Wulli / Wakka Wakka)
Cultural Liaison: Kylie McCartney (Barkindji / Murrawarri)
The First Nations Tournament will be held from Wednesday to Sunday at Jubilee Park Stadium in Frankston.
Queensland start their title defence against Western Australia at 9am on Wednesday and will face representative teams from every state and territory.
A full fixture for the tournament is available here with the event to be streamed live and on demand on Kommunity TV.
