Good morning and welcome again to Kingship Code, Kanat Wano with you here today. But Sharon Finnan-White - Commonwealth Games gold medalist, two-time world champion netballer, Order of Australia recipient. The national coach of Schools Corporation, it's a busy morning talking to Sharon Finnan-White. Join me.
[00:00:38] Hey, good morning. How are you, my friend?
[00:00:41] Oh, I'm really, really well, Sharon, look. Thank you so much for joining in today. And I understand your well, but I understand I know you're in Townsville, my hometown. So how you finding Townsville?
[00:00:55] Yeah, pretty good. Look, I. I grew up in Sydney, so not in my wildest dreams I ever think that I'd end up sort of this far north. But I actually ended up moving to the Gold Coast.
[00:01:07] And from there to Cairns and then now here to Townsville. And my husband and my current my husband actually bought me here. So this is where he was working. So when we met, we spent a bit of time apart for the first year and a bit sort of just moving back and forth and seeing each other on weekends. But yeah, eventually moved to Townsville. And now this is where I call home.
[00:01:29] Good idea. Yeah. As I said, Townsville is home for me, going to school and everything else in the early days. Sharon. So your sporting raise my profile, if you like. Very impressive. You've won a Commonwealth Games gold medal. Now tell me, where did you win that?
[00:01:49] So that was in Auckland in nineteen ninety.
[00:01:55] And that was the year that netball was a demonstration sport at the Commonwealth Games. So it's a very first year that we got the opportunity to participate on that stage. We didn't get a chance to stay in the village with all the other athletes being a demonstration team at the time. But we did get a chance to walk in and have a look around and experience the atmosphere, which was pretty awesome. And we only got to play the one game against New Zealand, which we ended up winning. But Tom. Yeah, it feels pretty special to be a part of that first ever couple of games team.
[00:02:27] Absolutely. Absolutely. And also, you're a. Excuse me. You're a two time will let you describe your pilot, the two time world championship team.
[00:02:39] Yes. Say my first.
[00:02:42] So nineteen ninety one was the first year that I played at the World Championships and that was in Sydney. And it was probably the game or the championship that put netball on the map. I think it really created some profile for the sport, for women's sport in particular. But I remember it was at the Sydney Entertainment Center and Bob Hawke was there as well. The prime minister of the time. We had a packed stadium of about 10000 people. And it was Australia versus New Zealand in the final. And, you know, which is always a tight contest between countries. And yes, I ninety one, that was my first world championship. And then I was pretty much missed out on the Australian team between the next world championship, which was in 1999 in Christchurch. And again, we beat New Zealand by a very close margin. So it was nice to be victorious in both those games. But, you know, the period in between for me was was quite challenging because I had to fight my way back in. You know, so being out for seven years was was hard. You know, I had lots of doubts in my ability and where I was heading with the sport. Yeah. So it was but I'm still playing National League at the time, you know, I say Sandpipers and Sydney electricity. And then I moved to Queensland play with Queensland Firebirds. So I still had that motivation and drive to keep playing. And I was selected into the Australian squad of 20. Pretty much every year. But when it came to. Yeah. Being selected for the final ten or twelve, I was missing out. And I think I had to really sit back and evaluate what it was and what was I doing that needed to be corrected for me to get a spot in that team. And I'll probably, you know, look, I won't lie. I think sometimes I lacked motivation and I was very angry about the fact that I wasn't selected.
[00:04:49] So I had to turn that around into a positive and I had to really look at the things that I could do for myself to make sure that I was back in that team. And I think one of the other driving factors for me was the fact that I was the only indigenous girl in that squad pretty much for that whole time. And that was my joining forces. I still wanted to be a face. I still wanted to be a face so I could have that profile within our community so I could continue to encourage and motivate and inspire our young people to achieve their dreams. And I knew that if I gave up, then I would be letting them down. So it was a strong motivating factor that I had behind me to keep going and eventually getting back in after seven years, all that hard work paid off. I just never gave up. I just really believe that I still had had something to get back into that team.
[00:05:43] That's that's inspiring. And that is a cliche. That's inspiring.
[00:05:47] But honestly, Sharon, to to sort of be absent from the the the level of the top level of real your sport. And still my tithing that drives the dream and the passion to then get back to it after seven seventy eight bright years is testament to your your resilience and also to your spirit of character. And you did mention like there's the physical attributes of that orbitals. So the drive to get to be a shining light for for your people. Aboriginal young people, all the people, in fact, to strive your resilience. Talk about how you sort of got through your darkest moments. What did you do?
[00:06:36] Well, I'm pretty lucky that I have pretty inspiring parents to draw on.
[00:06:41] My mom, you know, she was a member of the Stolen Generation and she's been through a lot in her life. And, you know, she's come out the other end to be a very successful indigenous woman, you know, later in her life. She achieved day a bachelor in indigenous health and studies, and she started a pay hike today as well.
[00:07:08] So, you know, Mum, considering what she's been through in her life, you know, being taken away from her family at the age of nine and putting to Kinmont of girls home and then adopted into a non-indigenous family.
[00:07:23] And then she was told she had to go to Sydney at the age of 16 and they sort of sorted a job out for her down there. And, you know, so she did a lot of that on her own.
[00:07:33] And she's still a very strong, independent grandmother now. So, you know, so I've got that on my side.
[00:07:41] And then my dad, who's non-indigenous, you know, he's been my rock my whole life and he has always taught me about work ethic and responsibility. And, you know, just all the things that you get told when you're a teenager that going one way or the other. But then as you grow up, you remember the things that you your parents tell you. And every in the words of wisdom that he's given me and he has always stuck with me. So I think in the back of my mind, I've always had mum and Dad's sort of messages coming through.
[00:08:13] You have to say that the seeds were planted at a young age and can help you through. Obviously now when you look when you are like lining up to run on to, say, a selection game to get back to the top. Well, the Australian the national it. What did you say to yourself? What was some of the things that you said yourself leading up to? Getting to the change room and the through the team to. And also just just running onto to the court. What? Some of yourself, too. Can you remember what you've said to yourself? What were your thoughts?
[00:08:50] Yeah. I mean, look, as elite athletes, we are always you know, we have sports psychologist that talk to us about those sort of things.
[00:08:57] And, you know, you have to find something that works for you. A lot of athletes are superstitious as well.
[00:09:03] You know, you have the same routine as you're getting ready. I remember I always had to make sure I really well the night before. Make sure the diet that the the game or the competition that I had a really good meal for breakfast and something that was going to sit well in my in my in my belly. And I guess, you know, if it was a late game, I'd make sure that I'd have a little bit of a nap, you know, just to sort of reenergize. We used to do a lot of mental visualization so we'd actually see yourself doing things really well, you know, rather than approaching a game in a negative way, saying I'm really nervous. I know I'm gonna be playing against this particular player and she's really good. I don't know whether I can, you know, outdo her. But you turn that around and you start thinking about these are the things that I'll practice to training. This is how much hard work that I have put in to this very moment. I know that I can jump high for her and get those rebounds. I know that if she goes out to the right side of the court for every single person to pass. I know I need to get around and push it the other way to make her feel uncomfortable. So all the things that you praksis that China and you actually been mentally rehearsed in your mind before you actually get to the court. And then because you've done that, you actually feel really confident walking onto the court. And I know that one of my greatest strengths was pushing myself in the physical training aspect. So I loved getting in the gym and doing weights. I didn't like long distance runs too much, but sprints were fine. You know, and then getting to a point where you can push yourself beyond your limits. Training. Once you get to the game, everything is really easy. So the hard work really is in the in the lead up, not when you actually get onto the court.
[00:10:52] Brilliant. Brilliant. Let us share. Also, you were probably impressive resume. You've also coached the Trinidad Tobago and South Africa at the national team. Tell me about that.
[00:11:04] Yeah. Well, I'm not gonna take full credit for being the actual coach, but I did get the opportunity to go to South Africa with my former Australian coach, Joyce Brown.
[00:11:14] She invited me over to work with her. I was so honored that, you know, because Joyce is such a big name in Australian sport and netball in particular. Everyone knows who she is. And she was actually probably the coach who I admire the most throughout my whole career because she gave me so many opportunities in that break between when I missed out on the Australian team. Joyce. There was like a president's 12 team and those Australian beating. So I got the opportunity to play in those teams. And I know that that was because of Joyce pushing for me. And she used to send these cards and little letters in the mail saying, you know, it might just have been two or three words. It said, you can and you will. Or, you know, inspiring quite. She would mail them to us. And that was way before a mile and, you know, mobile phones and texting and everything. But she would post a letter in the mail. She'd post just one card with all these inspiring.
[00:12:10] And you felt you were the only one that was getting them. I'm sure she was sending to the girls in the team. But you felt really special. So she's she's. And then. So, yeah. So she rang me up one day and said, I'm going to South Africa to coach the national team. I want you to come with me. And I was like, yes, I'm coming out. And all the girls within Australia that she could have asked. She asked me. And then I did ask her, why did you ask me to come? And she said, because I knew you'd be able to connect with the black athletes over there. And that, to me, was a great answer. That's what I wanted to do. I wanted to connect with those girls. And I did get a chance to sit and talk to a lot of the black athletes over there.
[00:12:47] And I sat back and I observed the training sessions and I could see clearly that those girls were not getting the same attention or the same recognition as the non black athletes in that team. So and I did say to me, you know, look, because I'm saying you need to drive it hard and just want the ball. And they're like. Doesn't matter what we do, they're not going to pass to us. So, yeah. So it was really interesting listening to the stories. And then when I. Many, many years after. When we got back, I ran into Joyce Fran at the teeth there. Remember what year it was? It was when the the world champs were in Sydney lost. And they had a bit of a function for all the former players. And we actually got this wonderful little necklace thing with the year that we started in the team.
[00:13:36] And so. Yeah, and that's it. And Joyce went up to Joyce and I said, Joyce, I just want to thank you for everything you've done for me and how you've inspired me throughout my career to keep going. And she said, Oh, Sharon, that's not a problem, Sid. But there is one thing I've always wanted to tell you, but I didn't know how to tell you.
[00:13:53] She said that when you came to South Africa with me, the officials there within the organization said to me, why did you bring that black girl with you?
[00:14:03] Wow. Yeah. Wow.
[00:14:05] I know. And I was like the same response was well. And she said I just felt I needed to tell you. I needed to tell you.
[00:14:13] I just didn't know when was the right moment. And yeah.
[00:14:17] So I didn't know how to respond to that. But on the day that that was going on or that that was said about me while I was over there.
[00:14:24] But anyway, nevertheless, it was a really awesome opportunity to coach the national team to help Joyce Brown to do that. And then, yeah, the other opportunity was in Trinidad Tobago.
[00:14:37] They were looking for a technical director. And I thought, you know what, if I want to progress in the coaching world, this could be a really good opportunity for me and something good to have them my résumé. So I applied for the position and I had no idea that. I just thought, I'm not I'm never gonna get it because, you know, I didn't really have my elite coaching accreditation at the time. I really had was my name and the fact that I've been a former national player. Anyway, I got the job. It was a six month gig in Trinidad. And it was really it was really hard for me because I had to leave my two year old son for six months and stayed with his dad and grandparents while I was away. So that was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my whole life. I don't think I could ever do it again.
[00:15:26] But yeah, so coaching the Trinidad team was a real challenge. I've really enjoyed it. I love the opportunity. But, you know, the structures of.
[00:15:37] Systems over there are very different to to us, you know, we assign much more advanced overhead because we have access to so much more as well.
[00:15:47] So my role at the day was to s technical director, slash assistant coach, I guess. And it was really just to help them help develop the coaches, you know, ran some accreditation courses for the coaches over there. And it was just to make sure that they had the right technical advice. But, you know, unfortunately, the country doesn't have. As I said, the same resources that we do for their players. Hence why that, you know, ranked about the 10th and 11th in the world. But they have some amazing players, very talented. And yet again, it was a really good opportunity for me to sort of, I guess, work on my coaching skills and my communication skills, working with different cultures and people.
[00:16:31] Very, very rewarding. That sounds like a very rewarding experience in that part of the world. Plus, you got to live in the Western leagues, which sounds romantic to me.
[00:16:44] Well, it was. And I still keep in contact with a lot of the girls through Facebook, you know, which is what I love about Facebook is despite still being able to connect with people.
[00:16:53] And, you know, if I ever go back there, you know, and I'll be welcomed and certainly they would be to in my home at any time. So, yeah, it was a really great opportunity at the church.
[00:17:05] Just on the side note, you did mention you have friends from that unit called Experience with a cousin of the great man, Hussein Bolt.
[00:17:18] And what did I say that did you not know what the ring might be someone else? I don't remember saying that there must be someone else or dogs with it. That's right.
[00:17:31] There's Jared, you also national coach, national development manager. Well, the National Aboriginal Sports Corporation. Are you still in that role?
[00:17:42] No. That was when I was living in Sydney and a little bit then when I moved to Queensland, I was still in that role. I did that role for about eight years.
[00:17:52] And it and I remember the great day of Lydiard who played the plague for Parramatta and Penrith. He started up the organization. And when he sort of heard about me and my role within netball, he and I at the time I was working for the New South Wales Department, Sport and Recreation in North Sydney, and I was actually seconded over to NASCAR for 12 months and which was really great sport to do that and allow me to have that opportunity.
[00:18:20] And then I ended up staying with NASCAR for eight years and traveled all around Australia to remote communities and helped coordinate the croc festivals. That enough? You remember them? They were held so they can weeper and Derby and Swan Hill and Port Augusta, like every state, had a croc festival, which sort of brought some communities together and sporting groups together. And my role was to coordinate all the sporting activities that the croc festivals. I went to remote communities to run Nippo clinics for young people and helped community people to learn about Chi-Ching. So, you know, we could leave some skills in the community so they could continue to learn and playing for help set up an indigenous program in Bunbury.
[00:19:10] We employed another lady over there to help continue to run that program. And you know that that program, you know, when I look at it now, that program actually was the start of something really big for Western Australia, because now that led to them branching out into different regions. And now they have so much funding and support for indigenous programs in Western Australia. They're probably the best state at the moment for running indigenous programs and pathways for our girls. And I and, you know, it started from that clinic and that program that we set up through NASCO.
[00:19:44] So. And then, you know, and my role was to really do that within HST because we were a national organization and I was here anyway after it is our funding ran out.
[00:19:58] But I was able to set up some kind of Puzzo in Newcastle. We started up that they started the quarry netball tournament and that's now been running for over 20 years. That's still running, even though I don't have anything to do with it. And that was what we wanted to. That's what we set out to achieve, is to make sure that these things were sustainable. And I know that whilst netball are linking into that carnival to use it as a talent identification opportunity for girls to come through there, their pathway. Similarly, I've set up and that was all with NASCAR. We also ran a carnival in Dubbo to do the same thing. And then I did. Some things in Cairns, and so we. And then I set up like a State of Origin kind of competition where we had to pick the best girls from New South Wales from those carnivals and the best girls from Queensland, from the Commonwealth that I set up. And then a State of Origin series, what the girls together to play against each other. And then we also got a Northern Territory team together. We had a three way series as well.
[00:21:00] My goal was to eventually have every state involved so that we could create an indigenous nationals, that some states were more supportive towards the concept than others, saying, you know, there's always those challenges that we had to deal with. And then, unfortunately, our funding ran out. Look, we are not for profit organization and then our funding ran out in the organization, sort of had to cease operating for a while. Nasca has sort of now regenerated itself with a new name. It's now the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy. So they're actually now still out there doing really great things that yes, I know now I'm sort of still still doing.
[00:21:42] I've got the Champagne and cup now in Cairns that runs every year and now in Townsville, he sort of helped them to start up an indigenous carnival here as well.
[00:21:51] So it's yeah, it's been a really exciting, challenging and rewarding journey for Amy on that side of things.
[00:22:01] And kudos to you, Sharon. That's an impressive take of your your playing career and then your international exposure to coaching and now getting back to your own community side on the behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Young people, thank you for doing that. And I think it's vital that that sort of support that you provide, given your your rise to elite sport, is an amazing gift to give back. So I thank you sincerely for that from both Aboriginal and torture on the First Nations of this country, an open opera and obviously not, obviously, but it sort of led you to get an Order of Australia, which. Hello. That goes without your contribution to the sport in this country and also to do better. Aboriginal church on the people visa is just, you know, incredible. And I I've known you for a little while and I didn't know you. You did all that work from the blood, sweat and tears, but from heart, which is, you know, I just want to give you the kudos and the acknowledgment, Chairman, and also your multiple Hall of Famer, multiple Hall of Famer, Randwick City Council, all of fine netball, New South Wales, all a fine sport, Australia Hall of Fame, Aboriginal and Torres Strait, all and the Hall of Fame. I don't even think the great Michael Jordan has something to fight on.
[00:23:34] Well, look, it's when you read it like that all in one sentence, it sounds pretty impressive.
[00:23:39] But I guess, you know, even hearing myself talk about all the work that I have done in the community and the hard work that, you know, I put in as a as an elite athlete and the challenges and obstacles I have to face to get through to this to the national team, I guess, you know, those accolades deserved, you know.
[00:24:01] But I am absolutely that way now. I absolutely do. They absolutely deserve a welcome sign. That's an impressive, very impressive sporting achievement. But more at the same time. Can I also mention you you contribute to changing the trajectory of people's lives, whether they be Aboriginal, Torres Strait or non Aboriginal Torres Strait or that couldn't be South Africans or or Western influence on just from getting your conversation of your journey off, of just giving back. Even though I worked very hard to get where you got it's it's an 18 year old and it's an acknowledgment to your mum and dad, an acknowledgment to them to have you have this mindset of giving even that you received a lot. You received something in the order of Australia, you know, multiple whole find gold medals. But all that gives back. So that's you know, I'm even a bigger fan of yours now.
[00:25:05] Sharon, I'm serious. I really am. And Sharon, in your very early days, you have an interesting story. You started. I think it was 12. You started young anyway.
[00:25:20] But you didn't actually make the senior representative sites till a bit later. And even getting into the state side, you didn't go through the normal national selections or the age groups or the state system to get to like. Twenty ones, I believe. Tell me a bit about that story.
[00:25:40] Yeah. Look, sir. You know, I was playing club netball for the RSL, which is the suburb that I grew up in, in Sydneys in the southwest suburbs of Sydney.
[00:25:50] So from the age of No. One, right up until I open level and my first rep team was at the age of 12, 13 with St George District, which is the district that I grew up in. Followed the Dragons my whole life in the NRL as well. Yeah.
[00:26:06] And so I guess sort of, you know, from the night of August 12, 13. I was going to Met-Pro carnivals and representing my district. I was at school. I was playing netball. And then I made the under 16 Catholic school go state team. Then we went away to the Catholic school goes nationals. And I made the Australian Australian School Girls National team. And then. Yeah. So I guess, you know, when the with the state team, what with New South Wales and all states, I guess around the country, the system is you you go through the, um, the 17 state team and you go through the younger nine anes back. Then you go through the other twenty ones that don't have that now and then you go into the open's stay. I still can't remember why I didn't trial for the other 17 and under nineteens. I'm not sure whether it was because I wasn't aware that the trials were on or no one had told me or I didn't want to. Honestly, I kinda I can't believe I can't remember what it was, why I didn't. But all of a sudden I found myself in the New South Wales under twenty one side and then, you know, going way to nationals competing against all the states of fit.
[00:27:23] I was offered a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport. So they were identifying girls from the Nationals. So I was 21 and by the time I made my first state team and went to the OAS. And typically when you go to the OAS, you are in that Seventeen's Nineteens age group. So I was pretty much one of the oldest girls down there and probably more ready to move away from home at that stage to I know if I was a bit younger, I probably wouldn't have wanted to go away to Canberra to leave my family and what have you.
[00:27:52] So, yeah, again, I just I just kind of played with my my district team, you know, I had my fair chat challenges there as well. You know, ESCOs remember a story one time where I was captain of my team and I slept in and I'd missed out on a weekend carnival and think maybe I'd gone out the night before or something exciting.
[00:28:16] I like us as if we still have our, you know, our female skeletons in our closet, you know, some of those things because, you know, it makes people realize that we're human and we're not write books and we do make mistakes. And no member my coach jock me as captain, you know, for that that year. And so I learned from my mistakes.
[00:28:37] You know, I knew I shouldn't have gone out partying that night knowing that I had a carnival the next weekend. And I must admit, you know, for me, as a teenager, I was very torn between going to do the teenager stuff, you know, and being that sports person where you had to sacrifice things to to be a better athlete. And for me, it was really hard to separate the two. And also at that time, you know, boyfriends come into your life and they want to I knew and tell you what you can and can't do. And there's jealousy that, you know, you're choosing your sport over them. And, you know, there's all these decisions you got to make. And I know there was a very important part in my life where I had to choose between being with a boyfriend or taking that scholarship. And, you know, thankfully, my dad, with all his wisdom, sat me down and said, well, what pathway do you want to look? What direction do you want to go in life? Like, if you want to make a go of you netball, I think you need to take that scholarship. And unfortunately, if if your boyfriend doesn't support that, then, you know, that's what happened.
[00:29:47] So I took the scholarship and I had and went through lots of hell with the break up and all that sort of stuff. But, you know, you move on and, you know, it got me got me into the Australian team because of that decision. So, you know, there's certain decisions you make in your life that will send you one way and or the other.
[00:30:05] And I'm really glad that I made that choice.
[00:30:08] Look, that's a fascinating take a what do you how you ventured into your chosen sport. And certainly the negatives look the negative sorry, the with your boyfriend at the time and robbing you of your self belief, putting you in this situation. And maybe that's another podcast. I think that's another point, guys, because that's interesting to have you come out the other end and. And then I call it walking through the desert with no say, with nice shoes, are you walking through the desert sands with no shoes on? But you do get to you, ISIS, you get to a place, you can put your feet in most cool water. There's all this drink and food and Scheid and it's the closest thing to paradise you'll get. But you have to walk through that desert in the hot sand. No shoes on it. And I suppose it's like sport, but it's like with anything, I suppose the sacrifice that comes with a timing that. And so what did you learn from that scenario? Look, it was a you sharing. That was one that quite interesting because I was from a probably another podcast you with you on that. But what was it? What did you get at? What did you learn from that experience for you? Your takeaway. That's built your resilience or your motivation or whatever it is that you think you've built.
[00:31:39] Look, I think it was because my dad has always, as all parents do with their kids. I put them on a pedestal and my dad's always given me the belief that I can achieve anything if I put my mind to it and that I have a special gift and that I need to use the talents and the gifts that I have for a better purpose. And, you know, as I said, you know, at the time, you think it's just your parents lecturing you about all those things that he told me just kept resonating in my mind, is that, yes, I I can choose to go down this path with this this partner, this boyfriend of mine who I do. To be honest, wasn't really good for me anyway. Or I can choose to take this pathway and make something of myself. And, you know, back then at the time, I really didn't have a lot of thought about being with about my Aboriginality. It wasn't something that I was very conscious of in my younger years because, you know, because of mom not having access to hit culture. Being a member of the Stolen Generation, that wasn't something we generally talked about in our household. I was just Sharon Finnin and, you know, a girl who loves netball and plays netball and my blackness or my Aboriginality was never an issue. It was never brought up. It was never raised at school. I was never targeted at school. I never experienced racism. I never felt it on or off the court. So it wasn't like I felt I needed to go out and be this role model for indigenous people. At that present point in time of my life. It was just that I loved netball and I knew that it could take me places and I knew I had to get away from a situation that was probably not a positive one. So it was a good decision. And so, yeah, I sat down and I did think about the pros and cons. It wasn't just a split decision and took diving with my dad because mum and dad split up when I was 12. So I really dad. So I say Dad was my rock. You know, he was the one that I went to for advice and guidance. And I lost connection with Mum for a little while. But, you know, we're best of mates now. So, yeah, it was a bit of a thought process that I had to go through and think about where I want my future to go. And, you know, and I guess a lot of the visits that I've had to indigenous communities, I see a lot of our girls who, you know, in relationships with with boys. And a lot of the time I saw the girls kind of being the ones sitting on the sideline at the footy games, watching the boys and every night the boys wanted. And, you know, I really want our girls to be having those opportunities to do what they want to and not be held back by a partner or boyfriend that says, well, no, I don't want you doing that.
[00:34:28] You know, like if I'm to be honest, I just think if that makes sense, if you're a hundred percent, 100 percent of that, that's a great Segway into. I suppose the next part of this podcast is looking at the the indigenous Australian participation in that poll. Which which of. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I know the grass roots level like Requena is applied, but certainly to the elite level, despite league and also all equal to the senior leagues, to the slightly to the national levels. There's very limited representation of yourself and mozzarella. Duncan are the only two indigenous female players who have played netball for the country yet.
[00:35:12] That's correct, yep. And I'm currently in the Suncorp Supernet Bowl National Competition. Gemma, my mind get from Queensland is the only indigenous girl in the league and it's been 20 years since I retired from the Diamond's team. And we have not seen another girl come through the pathway. We've had a number of girls make it to be. Twenty one level. We've been back five or six girls that have made it to that level, but they haven't been able to get through to that next level. And, you know, I guess we need to sort of look at the moment I'm in I'm a member of the Nepal Australia Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, you know. And there've been a number of programs. You know, it's good to say that a lot of the best states, state Nepalese organizations now have their own raps. So we're starting to see some programs and some changes happening within the states for NGOs in terms of making a little bit more accessible Frangos to play and a little bit more culturally safe for our girls to play. But there's still a lot of work to be done, obviously, because if we can't get any of our girls through the system up to that national team, it's taken 20 years. And Marcio was probably in that, you know, 10 years before me. So it's been 30 years, really. If you add it all together and master, you know, I came from Randwick, you know, like I went from St George to Randwick and Masino, I came through the same system. And to be honest, coming through New South Wales systems and processes back in those days, there was no problem whatsoever. You know, and I still think that was the reason why we we felt comfortable there. You know, we felt supported and there was never any issues to me coming through those pathways. And I think we just really need to look at what we can do to educate and support coaches and netball administrators, young people, and and make the decisions about how they can support our young indigenous girls coming through pathways.
[00:37:18] I've got to make a statement here, Sharrett. I think you touched on it before in terms of female participation in sport, in netball, but not just netball across all sports. And we're seeing a resurgence, especially in the non traditional, if you like, girls' sport of AFL league union. They're getting a bit more. And now the Australian Football Soccer have held on a World Cup. That's enormous. Now women's sport is getting that recognition and it's slowly filtering down, whereas other communities. We've actually got to probably move barriers in our communities in terms of female sport.
[00:38:02] And like you're saying, you've got these carnivals and yeah, the the All Blacks carnivals, both here, the New South Wales. It's always the guys and the girls. The women are sitting back cheering squad. They don't have that profile. So there is some social development from where I'm sitting, helicopter view, social development and support needed at the other end of that so you can get the systems and entry points correct or close to being correct in the zone of being culturally safe. But we also need to build the human social capital of our communities to then support the girls, the relationships or even, you know, and on the you know, you know, it's a lot more like them, I've got to say. Yeah, I'll put my hand up. When I was younger, I didn't want to see my girlfriend achieve more than I did. I mean, I'll be serious. And again, I didn't have the skills or the knowledge to treat that. Whereas if we provide that as a community approach, maybe we could see a bit like your side.
[00:39:06] You'll you were fortunate your mum and dad were there to manage you and support you through as just an example of saying if you want to make a general generalization about supporting the hiring can academy just for you. Because I believe that netball, because Australia is such a high women's nipple, is such a high ranked team that wish that there should be indigenous representation. So that's probably my intent, my take on it.
[00:39:38] Yeah, I guess I would just like to see this. I'd just like to say, you know, I mean, some people have the view that we don't want to have separate programs or, you know, we're trying to integrate NGOs into the system. And yeah, that's true. We are. However, you know, I believe that what I've what I've helped to set up with Cairns and Townsville netball is, yes, they're separate carnivals and the separate programs, but they they were established to try to link Blinkx our goals into the into the into the state and national pathway. So it's all about, firstly, getting our Pich community and our people to these events to have a go and just see if they like it and just have some fun. You know, the carnivals are all about that. So that's the first thing. Secondly, for me, it's about then using those carnivals as an opportunity to have a look at some girls who do have a bit of talent and a bit of passion that want to go further. And then we then we bring them in for for some development camps and we we've gotten some skills and drills and I bring in some high profile coaches to work with these girls and sometimes they Netball Queensland selectors. So get them to come in and have a look at the girls. And then we find opportunities for those girls to travel away and to go through the routines of what? Well, we would have done, you know, in my career. We talk to them about nutrition and we talk to them about communication and training and doing the right thing and don't feel that same thing about, like not being able to communicate if something's wrong. You can't get to training or you need someone to come pick you up or whatever. Don't don't have don't feel that shame about not being able to talk to someone about it. On the other hand, too, you know, it's about educating the coaches to the non-indigenous coaches who have indigenous skills in their team to work with the family. You know, our our girls need to feel like, you know, they supported not just on the court, but off the court as well. So have conversations with the family. What can I do to support your daughter? You know, I love let's have to have those conversations, because I think sometimes in all sport, there's starry eyed, you know, in the world the stereotypes of all different cultures. And I think sometimes our people are labeled lazy and irresponsible. And all these sorts of things. And unfortunately, our girls miss out on teams because of those stereo typical kind of unconscious bias that they have towards our people. And we need to sort of work to try and change and educate people that, you know, maybe there's a reason why she can't get to training, you know, maybe because she hasn't come for three weeks in a row. What about have you spoke to the family? So rather than just assume she's lazy and doesn't want to come.
[00:42:34] Yeah, it's just a quick tip. That might be netball struggle here. All the states should take a guy. I want to work information, too, with the Queensland Rugby League. Queensland Rugby League do a marvelous job because they see Aboriginal torsional, the rugby boys and girls.
[00:42:53] They see them as a strong component of their sport. By I actually have camps. They have academies just for for indigenous specific staff. Every time the indigenous players Kersten's one of them pledges God I they regenerate this production line because I know that I bring, you know, additional skills and also culture diversity to the game. AFL do it rugby. So it's a bet, but its diversity is diversity as sort of a situation where I've binocs brother to our role to assist, you know, develop you looking at the Townsville Rocky Macci as a fourth place while working with the families on the ground to support the grass roots. And that's something which, you know, a little could because you know that those sports, especially the QR rail, that they're big and you can see you look at the Queensland side, you know, we don't them sometimes we don't como back on Como line because always blackfellas from one.
[00:44:03] So it's that high population. So we could look. Sure. It's been an absolute pleasure talking to you. I've got so much out of this that we're going to have another chat, obviously, because we have some other information that we need to talk about. But I want to I want to finish by doing a little exercise with you. It's a it's a bit of a what they call it. Let's get the names together. Trading in this old role. What role play its role play. Oh, yes. But this is like virtual. Role play. Now, give me your what what's your most favorite tree? What tree resonates with you? Like you said, give me a tree. What tree would you know?
[00:44:47] When are you going to ask me? Because I was listening to your last forecast interview and I started thinking about what? Trees.
[00:44:53] But the first thing that came to mind was the cherry blossom, you know, those beautiful pink Nobelists trees, because I see them, especially in the colder weather. I see them everywhere. And I just think, oh, that would have been so nice to get married under or you I'd have photos. And then, you know, when we're in Christchurch, my school team, head coach of my school team here in Townsville, we took them over to Christchurch and not they were just lining the streets, you know, on both sides. And they just and I gave me this really peaceful, calm, beautiful feeling. And I just said, that's my favorite tree.
[00:45:28] Beautiful. So calm. Feeling peace. Yeah. It's sort of your duty, as you've just described. You've seen a piece, you you it's something you try to strive for or try to find. That's a bit a bit of amateur psychology, if you like. And now you're sitting York. This lovely place where this is this line of cherry blossoms is the cherry blossoms, cherry blossom dip, cherry blossoms. Beautiful. Just imagine that. And you're out there, you sitting there and you've got a picnic table set up and you've got you could invite three, three people to that picnic table.
[00:46:07] Now, I'm going to ask you to sit. You don't have six people at your table because you're special.
[00:46:14] Gosh, I can't think of that many people because you've got you've got five or four Hall of Fame medals like you. You get to have six people.
[00:46:23] Now you have the first three people. I want you to tell me three sports people, either your current sport or other sports or living past.
[00:46:37] You don't have to know them, but three sports people you'd like to invite to come and share a picnic afternoon under this salubrious location of peace.
[00:46:50] You know, I didn't plan like I knew that this was gonna be a question that you asked, but I hadn't put too much thought into it. Thought. Firstly, probably because I just recently saw this amazing thing on Facebook about cutting deals. He's currently playing in the NBA in America. He has pledged to donate one point five million dollars to indigenous communities here in Australia. So that's he told salary for how long? A year. I don't know. But I would love to sit down with him and having gone to him. So my son is really inspired by him because my my 10 year old loves basketball and wants to play in the NBA. And he's read all Patty Mills books and Torres Strait Islander My Debt, My Kids a half Torres Strait Islander as well, three on their dad's side. So I would love to sit down, have a yarn to him, and maybe he can tell me about what he's going to how he's going to support the communities. This could be someone you could talk to as well on your podcast. He may well.
[00:47:56] Well, he's my little cousin, so get rid of him. But certainly we think I'm going to tell him to look you up and your son.
[00:48:03] Oh, I just I would love him just to be able to say hello to him, like he would just be so happy. Who else?
[00:48:12] Gee, another sport.
[00:48:16] Because who I really admired growing up was tennis player Gabriela Sabatini. If you remember her. But she just just was a real athlete and just plain and said graciously and a lot of beautiful dark skin. And she just always looked really beautiful on the court. I guess that she was someone I aspire to cause she kind of looked a bit. I felt I had a similar kind of looks to her when I was younger, so I'd probably ask her.
[00:48:43] And one more I'm going to pick.
[00:48:45] Yes. Gee, probably.
[00:48:52] Look, if she was still alive, I mean, she's not. But God rest her soul.
[00:48:58] My very first netball coach, Doc Lloyd, nice like my club coach, because I just want to honor her with probably me getting to where I did. To be honest, not because there was so many times where I couldn't get to to netball training because Dad was working or Mum wasn't around or Mum was doing something else. And I couldn't get there. And she, without fail, would come and pick me up and take me to training and take me to games. And I would love to just sit and have a chat to her about what she remembers about me. And just yet, just talk about the old days with her.
[00:49:34] Let's that's fantastic. I want to get a brief summary. Patty Mills giving away all his salary to to a cause to do Black Lives Matter, giving all the salary I give up. So you you've just you just articulated your giving spirit. Also, Gabrielle Sabattini, which I my two, but obviously for different reasons. I thought she was gorgeous. You look, that was you you looked at new you like what you see you liked. You love looking at it. That was you. Yes, it was by itself. That's the self belief. That's a self-confidence that's got you where you are today. And you're a lovely coach. What was her name? You don't Lloyd Dot, you were given gratitude, which is beautiful. Sharon, you're giving gratitude to everything in your life. And, you know, you've already spoken about your mum, your dad, and also in your sporting life to this lady.
[00:50:36] OK. I've got to wrap this up, but I will ask you for the next three guests. All all of our sports. Give me three Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. Give me the knives. Who they are. And one word or two words. Why you picked them.
[00:50:50] Three. Three Aboriginal craft from the people that you would invite to sit around a picnic table and just one or two words to just say the name and say why. One word or two words or even three to describe why you picked those three Aboriginal tortured on the people.
[00:51:11] Okay. Oh, geez. Okay.
[00:51:15] So luckily, you've you have to cut a lot of this out and then just put that onto the end because I'm I'm thinking now, look, I would pick first. The first. Look, I'm just gonna go the first person that came to mind.
[00:51:26] And that's the whole like the Masiello Duncan. Like, seriously, like she is just not one word or two words. Very, very wise. Very articulate and very culturally proud.
[00:51:50] Good. Second person.
[00:51:53] Second person. Second person would be. Well, you know what I'm going to say you. For the second person, because I follow you on Facebook and your posts give me so much positivity and energy. And there's two words. How the third back Positano. Thanks, Doug. And just to see your slate, just what just what you post is always just really positive and energizing. And also, I. Because you just talk to so many people and you're so friendly. I think more people should be like that. So you're my second. And the third person would be. I honestly can't think of a name, but all I would just like to I would invite any indigenous person who is making a difference in this world like Canada for this time. Many of them I would just name. I would just invite someone, anyone out there who is trying to make a difference for our actual Torres Strait Islander people.
[00:52:59] Great answer. Great answer. And I'm humbled by your decision actually bringing me I'm getting a bit emotional, to be honest. But, Sharon, it's been an absolute pleasure chatting to you. I'm so glad we've had this opportunity. And it won't be the last opportunity. We got to have a chat again. So is there anything else in closing that you'd like to just give our listeners, your listeners any goods that you'd like to put across?
[00:53:27] Look, just that, you know, for all our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that, you know, I just t I don't want to sound too cliche because I never had a dream to play for Australia. Like, I didn't even know the Australian team existed when I was young. But if there are things that you want to achieve in life, to not let anything or anyone stand in your way and that, you know, we're the first peoples of this nation and we deserve respect and recognition and opportunities.
[00:54:02] So believe that. Believe in yourself. And just whatever you want to do, just go and do it no matter what anybody else's. Good work. Thank you very much. Bye. Thank you. Bye.
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