Rumbalara does not only represent the Aboriginal community within the Goulburn Valley but also on a national level.
Five of Rumba’s talented junior netballers were proud to be selected for the Budgies — indigenous teams that compete against other state sides.
Ever since she was seven years old, Wytasie Walker has been playing netball at the club alongside her mother. Now she is playing for the under-15 Budgies.
“It all started when I got selected for the Seven Sisters Squad; we travelled over to Sydney and played a three-day tournament,” Wytasie said. “They had the Budgie team look at us and we had to do two trials to get selected.
“I felt really proud of myself. It feels really good to represent Shepparton and coming from Victoria.” Medika Bonney only joined Rumba last year but urged indigenous girls to take to the court. “It was advertised in Echuca where I was living at the time and my aunty got all the indigenous girls from Echuca and brought them down to Melbourne to try out for the team,” Medika said.
“I think girls should get more involved; if you love the sport, go play it.”
“I love playing and it feels good representing where I’m from.” Teammates Nakiah Bamblett and Tallara Saunders were both excited to discover they had been selected in the under-12s. “You get to have fun, you’re a part of family,” Nakiah said.
“It feels good and you get to play with friends and family,” Tallara said.
