The Old Ways New Ways program has had a remarkable impact on the lives of young Indigenous people in WA, and this month achieved an important new milestone.

The program, run by the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia (ALSWA), works with children and youth at risk of contact with the justice system to help them get on the right track. It has a strong focus on wellbeing, education, culture and friendship and has resonated with youth and families.

In 2025, Old Ways New Ways dreamed of a project that would provide participating children with an opportunity "to belong, to grow, and to proudly represent their culture on a larger stage". Through conversations with program participants from the northern Boorloo/Perth suburb of Balga cohort, it became clear that twelve young women shared that vision and were eager to challenge themselves by competing in the 2026 NAIDOC Netball Boorloo Competition.

From that shared aspiration, the very first Old Ways New Ways Netball Team was born.

In July 2026, twelve young women aged between 12 and 17 from Balga Hub stepped onto the courts at Gold Netball Stadium. For many of them, the moment represented far more than a game of netball. It was the culmination of months of commitment, courage, and determination.

Every Friday afternoon, these young women chose to attend training sessions and Activity Days, volunteering to dedicate their time to developing their skills, building confidence, and learning the value of teamwork under the guidance of their coach, Kenneale Simpson-Lewis, alongside team manager Ashlee James.

"This has just been an absolute milestone for us," Ms Simpson-Lewis told National Indigenous Times.

"The girls planted the seed in our hearts and said, 'we'd love to get into NAIDOC Netball', and so me and Ash, we put our two heads together and we made that dream a reality, and it's just been absolutely wonderful."

Ms James has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to turn the dream into reality. Through her leadership and passion, the team has not only been equipped for competition but has also been given a uniform that tells a story.

The netball dresses feature artwork created by the girls under the guidance of respected local Indigenous Elder Linda Loo, ensuring they take to the court wearing a design that reflects their identity, culture, and collective journey.

ALSWA said the support of the wider community has been "extraordinary". Through community engagement and advocacy, donations were secured to provide every participant with a new pair of netball shoes, Nike undershorts, water bottles, and essential team equipment.

Additional donated shoes have been set aside with a vision for the future in which where young women from the Armadale cohort - in Boorloo's south east - will also have the opportunity to form their own team and experience the same sense of pride, belonging, and achievement.

"It honestly means everything to them," Ms Simpson-Lewis said.

"We really wanted them to feel like they belong in the community, which they do."

The young women have developed friendships, resilience, self-belief, and a profound connection to one another, their community, and their culture. They have learned success is not measured only on the scoreboard, but by showing up for each other, working together, and having the courage to step outside their comfort zones.

For many of these girls, the competition marked their first opportunity to stand on a competitive stage and showcase their talents. It was also an opportunity to proudly represent their families, communities, cultures, and heritage. They discovered their own strength, found a sense of belonging, and become role models for the younger girls.

Ms Simpson-Lewis noted the Old Ways New Ways activity days more broadly "are crucial for our young people".

"That allows our young people to come into a safe space, a relaxed area where our girls can come together with their other sister girls and engage with staff in a relaxed setting... they can come and just be themselves," she said.

"It also gives Old Ways New Ways an opportunity to share educational activities and programs with our girls, and also talk about social emotional wellbeing."

Ms James noted the consistency of Old Ways News Ways is a great strength.

"It helps develop that trust and rapport with the young people," she told National Indigenous Times.

"It's the constant faces that they're seeing all the time, and it's the genuine care from the workers and the genuine trust that's built with the young people. We have a lot of young people that have those really developed relationships that you don't get to see across other areas that work within the justice system."

Ms Simpson-Lewis said the sincere dedication of the program staff connects with the kids involved.

"I think for our young Indigenous, Aboriginal kids, the one thing that we look for is the genuineness. If we can see that you're genuinely in our corner, we'll run with you. We'll meet you. We'll meet you halfway," she said.

"That's my experience too, and what I'm seeing with our young people here. And that's one thing I enjoy about being in the Old Ways New Ways team is the staff and the colleagues. We're all here for one goal, and that's to help our young people do the best and look for a better future."

Ms Simpson-Lewis said the program's success has seen more and more people keen to get involved.

"We've got young people knocking on the door. We've got stakeholders knocking on the door. We've got community people knocking on the door, saying, 'Oh, can my kid join? Can my young person join? Can we be a part of the Old Ways New Ways program?' because of the deadly work that we're able to do," she said.

ALSWA noted the establishment of the OWNW Netball Team is "only the beginning".

With continued support and investment, the program has the potential to grow, "creating lasting pathways for more Indigenous young people to access sport, strengthen cultural connections, build confidence, and realise opportunities they may never have believed possible", ALSWA said.

"Every contribution helps ensure that this dream does not end with one team or one season, but becomes a legacy of empowerment, pride, and opportunity for generations to come."