Donnell Wallam will become the second Indigenous player in the Super Netball competition after signing with the Queensland Firebirds for the 2022 season.
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The West Australian goaler has joined the Queensland outfit as a replacement for Romelda Aiken-George, who is on maternity leave.
Wallam was invited to train with the squad in January and then turned in a star performance in the pre-season cup to earn a contract.
She joins Firebirds teammate Jemma Mi Mi as full-time Indigenous players in the Super Netball competition, which gets underway this weekend.
"I was willing to take the risk of coming over on a temporary contract and I'm just so stoked that the risk has paid off for me," Wallam said on Wednesday.
"I just thought this is my chance to get my foot in the door with another team so I need to really push myself and show them what I can do."
Wallam, a Noongar woman, said she understood the significance of her signing and what it meant to be a First Nations player in the league.
The Firebirds, Super Netball and Netball Australia have taken strides in this space after being criticised in 2020 for using Mi Mi to promote Indigenous round but then not playing her.
The parties then committed to do more to support and promote Indigenous talent pathways.
The 28-year-old said she had leant on Mi Mi for advice and support.
"I'm happy I can be there and help her take on that role and inspire more First Nations athletes to follow their dreams," Wallam said.
"Obviously we'd love for more Aboriginal athletes to be coming through the pathways ... to be doing it alongside Jemma, who I've looked up to, is just amazing."
The Firebirds open their season on Sunday against the Melbourne Vixens at Brisbane's Nissan Arena.
Australian Associated Press
