This year's Super Netball season is set for a fresh injection of Indigenous talent after Noongar woman Donnell Wallam was added to the Firebirds playing roster this week.
Wallam joined the Firebirds over the January off-season and has been selected to replace Romelda Aiken-George who is on maternity leave.
She describes her journey to become the second Indigenous woman to play in Super Netball as a “rollercoaster”.
“I didn’t come up through the traditional netball pathways, I’ve faced some setbacks and hardships. The highs and the lows of the sport," she said.
"Netball has taken me across to the UK and now to the other side of Australia.”
The 28-year-old from Harvey in South WA says it feels special to play alongside Wakka Wakka woman Jemma Mi Mi and wants to inspire other First Nations athletes to play at the top level.
“She’s an amazing athlete and I have looked up to her throughout my netball career. To be playing alongside her is such an amazing experience," she said.
“I hope they see my journey. I hope it inspires them to follow their dreams and know that they have the potential to reach those dreams.”
Both the Firebirds and Netball Australia came under fire in 2020 when Mi Mi, who was the competition's only Indigenous player, during Indigenous round, despite being front and centre of its promotion.
Former Firebird Helena Saunders also in the sport, with Netball Australia committing to "take significant action to break down the barriers" that have prevented Indigenous players, coaches, umpires and administrators "from flourishing in the sport."
Now, Wallam will become the second active player in the Super Netball competition.
She said her late grandmother has been an inspiration to make it to the top.
“Before I went to England my Nan told me if anything happened to her she didn’t want me to give up on Netball and to keep going," she said.
"When she passed away, it was really hard for me to focus. I just kept telling myself exactly what Nan said and that really gave me the strength to push on."
Her first on-court appearance may come on Sunday when the Firebirds begin their campaign against the Melbourne in Brisbane.
