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Sport

4 February, 2025

Netballers represent at Indigenous titles

Ali Townsend, Kahlea McEwen and Aylah Barnes were all part of the NSW Echidnas Indigenous side that competed at the Budgies National Indigenous Netball Carnival.

By Supplied

Aylah Barnes, Ali Townsend and Kahlea McEwen represented the NSW Echidnas at the Budgies National Indigenous Netball Carnival at Brisbane recently. Photo supplied.
Aylah Barnes, Ali Townsend and Kahlea McEwen represented the NSW Echidnas at the Budgies National Indigenous Netball Carnival at Brisbane recently. Photo supplied.

Three Gilgandra netballers have enjoyed the experience of a lifetime after representing the NSW Echidnas under-14s netball team at Brisbane recently against other Indigenous representative sides from across Australia.

Ali Townsend, Kahlea McEwen and Aylah Barnes were all part of the NSW Echidnas Indigenous side that competed at the Budgies National Indigenous Netball Carnival against other Indigenous sides representing Western Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.

Their NSW Echidnas team made it through to the under-14s semi-finals where they were defeated by a Western Australian side.

NSW had two sides competing in the under-14s age group.

Playing four 20-minute matches a day between January 14 and January 18, competing at a high level has motivated the three girls to continue to improve in 2025.

All three play locally for Gilgandra in the Dubbo Netball Association competitions.

Kahlea is a goal attack, while Ali predominantly plays at either goal defence or goal keeper but occasionally shoots as well in the attacking third, while Aylah is a centre. 

The trio were noticed for higher honours when they represented the Sand Goannas under-15s mixed netball side at the 2024 NSW Koori Netball Tournament at Charlestown last October.

The Sand Goannas – made up of Gilgandra’s players – defeated the Di Di’s 13-8 in the final.

And at this stage, strong performances from Ali, Kahlea and Aylah for the Echidnas indicate they will be back in NSW colours again when the state’s Indigenous sides are selected for the next Indigenous national championships.

Aylah’s mother Lanie Barnes said it was a tremendous experience for all three Gilgandra players.

She said the trio just loved playing so many matches, even lining for a trial for representation in one national Indigenous junior side while in tour even though they were too young to be closely considered for Australian selection.

“They had a great time,” Lanie said. “It was the first time all three had represented NSW. They all played well so it’s looking likely they will be selected again in 2026.”

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