Kats’ giant leap

Karratha teenagers travelled to Broome to participate in the North West NAIDOC Netball Cup, making it to the grand final in their first year taking part in the event.

The Karratha Kats Indigenous Squad under-14 side travelled to Broome last month for the competition held at Broome Recreational and Aquatic Centre on November 28.

The trip was funded by a grant from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, and the girls’ uniforms were designed by their teammate Jasmine Ihanimo.

The event saw teams from the Pilbara and Kimberly, including Broome and Derby, with the Kats winning four of their six games to finish on top of the ladder and playing off in the grand final.

Unfortunately, the Pilbara side fell short in the big dance, falling to the Broome OGs 7-5 in a hard-fought contest.

Karratha’s Meisha Norman was awarded the best-and-fairest for the under-14s.

Team manager Sara Wailu said she was proud of how the girls played and prepared for the competition.

“We entered the team about six weeks ago, and the girls pretty much had 100 per cent attendance to training every week,” she said.

“The coach, an Indigenous lady, Anna Wailu, just really brought the girls’ confidence out.”

Sara Wailu said it was important for the girls to take part in the carnival to grow confidence in their sporting ability.

“A lot of them are really skilled, but they doubt themselves ... On the day they realised they were representing Karratha and just gave it everything they had.

“It was a totally different competition as well, just playing against Indigenous girls, and it was special.”