Australia's national First Nations netball team the Black Swans have announced a 20-player for 2025 following their introduction to international and high-performance tournaments in this year.

12 stars return after featuring across the side's inaugural campaigns in 2024 with the addition of new names.

The Black Swans debuted against World Netball-ranked opposition at the PacificAus Sports Netball Series in June.

Netball Australia confirmed their inclusion for the 2025 series in February last week following their showing at the Australian Netball Championships in August.

Retained and incoming selection was informed by performances at the inaugural state-and-territory representative First Nations Tournament in September, former Queensland Firebirds championship player and Netball Australia First Nations engagement manager Beryl Friday said.

"We have some of our original Black Swans back - those who have been consistent across tournaments this year, but I am very excited for our new name," Friday said.

Friday was a mentor across debut tournaments through the year.

"My hope for our Black Swans group is to walk away next year with confidence in their playing abilities, a solid understanding of high-performance behaviours and what it means to be a professional athlete," she said."

"Off court, I hope we see a strong cohort of First Nations women from around Australia taking their new learnings and teaching others in their communities."

Mabuyag Island and Saibai Island woman Maryke Babia comes in as the Black Swans first Torres Strait Islander representative.

"It's a dream come true to be recognised at this level as an athlete and as a Torres Strait Islander netballer," Babia said.

"It is a huge responsibility, but also a tremendous privilege.

"Growing up I was taught the importance of community, respect, and hard work. My dad grew up in the Torres Strait on Mabuyag island and has passed down language, songs, art and cultural practices my whole life - embracing and celebrating culture at home.

"These values have guided me throughout my sporting journey. I hope to inspire young Torres Strait Islanders and Indigenous Australians to believe in themselves and show them what hard work and determination can do."

Debut Black Swans defender Scarlet Jauncey's impact in the setup was recognised with a new honour at the weekend's Australian Netball Awards.

Jauncey was acknowledged with the Dr Eve Fesl First Nations Black Swan Award, named for the late Gubbi Gubbi and Gungulu Elder, academic and 1950's Queensland representative player.

The award recognises on-court performance, alongside cultural leadership and values.

Jauncey, 19, told National Indigenous Times she was shocked just to get an invite to the night and in company with the Super Netball players and Diamonds she aspires to join.

"The Black Swans, having that team was such an amazing experience for me and my sister and my family. And to be able to obviously play netball with such an amazing group of girls was such a great experience, and to play against some of the best competition from around the world," Jauncey said.

Scarlet's sister, Jamaica, joined her on court - shooting at the other end, for the Black Swans this year.

The pair earned re-selection in the 2025 squad.

A Netball Australia identified athlete, West Coast Fever reserve, WA representative and age national squad member, Jauncey was happy to lead with her experience in high-performance spaces with members getting less-familiar exposure to the level.

As well as pursuing a career in Super Netball and the Diamonds, she's also keen to be a role model - like Beryl Friday was to her.

"To keep being a role model for younger Indigenous athletes, to have someone for them to look up to and help them get through the pathway and see that there is players playing at the highest level that are Indigenous…I think that's the main goal for me," Jauncey said.

Jauncey also wants there to be no ceiling on what the Black Swans become.

"The goal would just be to keep building this team and eventually have it as a national team, and not just an invitee team and being able to play competitively. I think we just have to keep building and take it step by step to get to that place," she said.

Black Swans squad members will train in state setups and come together for competition across the year.

FIRST NATIONS BLACK SWANS 2025 SQUAD

ACT

Olivia Clark, Kamilaroi

NSW

Jaylah Boney, Ngemba/Barkinji

Acacia Elers, Worimi

Jayda Grant, Wiradjuri

Ellie Stacey, Wonnarua

Queensland

Maryke Babia, Mabuyag Island And Saibai Island

Lily Cubby, Murrawari

Brianna Martyn, Kullilli

Jayden Molo, Waanyi

Tia Molo, Waanyi

Kiesha Muckan, Nunukul Nughi and Kabi Kabi

Brook Lavey, Ewamian

South Australia

Aaleya Turner, Kaurna

Nasyah Turner, Kaurna

(And Western Australia) Tierrah Miller, Yamatji/Noongar (Wajarri/ Whadjuk)

Tasmania

Sophie Brewer, Wiradjuri

Victoria

Tully Bethune, Wiradjuri (Victoria)

Chloe Eyre, Wamba Wamba (Victoria)

Western Australia

Jamaica Jauncey, Yawuru

Scarlet Jauncey, Yawuru