Black Swans confirm first crack at silverware with debut at Australian Netball Championships

Jarred Cross Published July 5, 2024 at 6.00pm (AWST)

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Australia's First Nations national side are one of two inclusions to the 2024 championships in the ACT scheduled for late August. (Image: Joseph Guenzler)

After a table-topping performance against world-ranked international sides in June, the First Nations Black Swans will eye off their first chance at silverware as one of two inclusions in the Australian Netball Championships next month.

Announced on Friday, it's the National Indigenous side's second official appearance after their campaign at the Pacific Netball Series in Meanjin.

As an invitational addition to the series, the Black Swans were ineligible for the finals matches despite finishing on top of the standings following the rounds, with their sole loss coming against eventual winners and three-time reigning champions Tonga.

This time around, they're every chance of being crowned against some of the country's best netballers, says defender Aalyea Turner.

"I definitely think we have a good chance...I'll be really excited, but obviously a challenge," Turner told National Indigenous Times.

After an early loss to eventual winners Tonga, the Black Swans strung together four consecutive wins at the Pacific Series. Pictured: Aaleya Turner defends a shot from Singapore at Meanjin's Nissan Arena. (Image: Netball Australia)

The South Australian star said there was some surprise amongst the group at their immediate success, having come together for the first time just days before their opening match and navigating through the nerves of competing on the international stage.

"We were up against some strong competitors during the week and definitely proved that we weren't being outclassed by the international competition. We held our own," Turner said.

"As the week went on, we just surprised each other and ourselves with how good we were playing and how we connected.

"Our connections on court just were awesome, and then especially off court, I think we've built some friendships that will last a long time."

The Black Swans join a new-look Australian Netball Champions following Netball Australia's introduction of the Super Netball Reserves in 2024, with fellow incomers the NSW Waratahs to meet the (Northern) Territory Storm and hosts Capital Darters at the ACT Netball Centre August 25-28.

Aaleya Turner (top, sixth from left) says the Black Swans are a "good chance" at finishing the Australian Netball Championships with bragging rights after a ladder-topping effort in their debut campaign at the Pacific Netball Series in June. (Image: Joseph Guenzler)

"We are excited to see this year's Australian Netball Championships provide new opportunities for competing teams," Netball Australia acting executive general manager of high performance Matt Lyons said.

"It is important to ensure we have a mix of developmental opportunities that evolve the talent within our entire netball ecosystem, inclusive of athletes, coaches, umpires and bench officials.

"Introducing our pathway pilot product, the Super Netball Reserves, provided an opportunity for us to review how these championships fit to develop our national pathway athletes within and outside of Suncorp Super Netball environments.

"This year's championships will provide a dedicated opportunity for our competing teams and their emerging national talent to develop their skills across three days of high-level competition."

For Turner, it's another opportunity for Australian netball's new elite outfit to make a splash.

"I knew we'd come back together eventually, but I definitely didn't realise it would be next month," she said.

"I'm really excited to reconnect and build on what we achieved."