Culture

Super Netball’s Only Indigenous Player Didn’t Get To Play During Their Indigenous Round

"There’s a huge disparity between words and actions in our sport at elite level."

by Rachael Conaghan  21 September 2020
jemma mi mi

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Netball fans have accused the game of tokenism after the only Indigenous player in the Super Netball competition was sidelined during their Indigenous Round.

The Queensland Firebirds have been highly criticised for not letting Jemma Mi Mi on the court during their 64-58 win over the Melbourne Vixens yesterday afternoon, despite using her to promote the Indigenous Round.

During the match even the commentators called out the massive oversight, with one saying if it was her, she’d walk off the court to let Mi Mi at least play the final moments of the game.

Many people were angry that Mi Mi was not given a chance to play during the match, while others said it pointed to a bigger issue about a lack of diversity in the sport.

In the lead up to the Indigenous Round, Mi Mi spoke to the ABC about being the only Indigenous player in the competition, and the pressure of being a role model for the next generation.

“When I first found out I was the only Indigenous athlete in the Suncorp Super Netball competition I was pretty surprised because I know there is so much Indigenous talent out there,” she said.

“I’ve learnt now to really own that responsibility and take on that pressure … I’ve realised now to really own this position and know what I’m doing for my people is being a role model for those young Indigenous girls coming through school or just the netball pathways, that if you’ve got a dream or you’ve got a goal that you want to achieve that you can do it.

“I think sport is that escape that Indigenous people can find because that’s where we maybe we feel more included, because it’s all about sport. It doesn’t matter who you are.”

This week Australian netball was also called out by Marcia Ella-Duncan, who was the first Aboriginal woman to represent the country in the sport back in 1986. Only one other Indigenous player has made the national team since then.

Ahead of the start of the Suncorp Super Netball Indigenous Round Ella-Duncan said that wasn’t good enough.

“Coaches and selectors, they might say I was a late bloomer … I’d say my Aboriginality made me invisible,” she said of her early playing years.

“I had a wonderful career, but as I look back now the stats don’t lie.

“There simply aren’t enough of us playing at this elite level. That’s because there has not been enough effort or support to understanding Indigenous athletes.”

A review is underway into the barriers faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander netballers at the elite level, amidst growing criticism of the game’s whiteness.

Netball Australia Chief Executive Marne Fechner said the glaring absence of Indigenous players at an elite level was not something they’re comfortable with, and they want to be better.

“It is clear there is an impediment for these [Indigenous] girls. It’s not a question of they are not talented, that’s like saying women aren’t good enough to be CEOs, it’s illogical and it’s not true,” she said. 

“We don’t understand what the blockages are … What is it in our high-performance pathways that obviously isn’t nurturing and providing an opportunity for Indigenous athletes to thrive?”

Mi Mi — who is also a former Australian touch footy representative — made her Super Netball debut with the Firebirds in 2017 and has made nine appearances for them this season.

She’s also a co-ordinator for Netball Queensland’s Diamond Spirit program, which aims to empower Indigenous girls in remote communities through netball.

The Firebirds were the wooden spooners last season, but have now won three of their last four games.

Junkee approached the Queensland Firebirds for comment but did not receive a response.