Indigenous netball star Kashiah Dixon-Miller nominated for Schools Sports Awards

An indigenous netballer on the rise is determined to be a role model for other aspiring athletes. And the youngster is our latest School Sports Awards nominee.

LeFevre Peninsula Primary School student Kashiah Dixon-Miller has been nominated for a 2020 Messenger School Sports Award. Picture: Sarah Reed

Netballer Kashiah Dixon-Miller knows there are not many elite indigenous netballers for her to look up to.

There is only one currently lining up in the Super Netball competition – Queensland Firebirds player Jemma Mi Mi.

There have also only been two – Marcia Ella-Duncan and Sharon Finnan-White – in the national team, and none since the 1990s.

But Kashiah is determined to change that for aspiring athletes rising through the ranks.

The LeFevre Peninsula Primary School student is paving a path to become one of the nation’s top netballers.

LeFevre Peninsula Primary School student Kashiah Dixon-Miller has been nominated for a 2020 Messenger School Sports Award. Picture: Sarah Reed

Kashiah has represented SA’s Nunga Netball team for the past two years, has claimed Portland Netball Club’s best and fairest award five times and has also been selected for the national junior Aboriginal netball team multiple times.

Her achievements have led to being nominated for the 2020 Messenger School Sport Awards.

The School Sports Awards are a joint initiative of The Advertiser, The Messenger and the Department for Education.

Kashiah said representing her state and indigenous people is an honour.

“It (being nominated) makes me very proud,” Kashiah, of Brompton, said.

“It’s really good, being indigenous and representing SA and meeting others from different states and playing against them.

“It would mean a lot to me to play for Australia one day and also for other indigenous girls to inspire them as well.”

The 12-year-old lines up with Portland in the Port Adelaide Netball Association, Garville’s juniors and Kaleteeya in the Elizabeth Netball Association.

Kashiah Dixon-Miller. Picture: Sarah Reed

Some of her other achievements include:

■ Winning Garville’s sub junior coach’s award (2020);

■ Nunga Netball under-12 players’ player medallist (2020);

■ South Australian Junior Netball Carnival Best Team Player Medal (2019);

■ Port Adelaide Netball Association best and fairest runner up (2019 and;

■ Kaleteeya Netball Club best and fairest and coaches’ award winner (2018).

Kashiah, who will start high school next year, has been accepted into Henley netball program for 2021.

She is also a member of the Aboriginal Athletics club and has represented her school in SAPSASA carnivals, specialising in the 100m sprint and relays.

Kashiah’s sporting career hasn’t been all smooth sailing — she has Osgood-Schlatter disease — a condition that causes pain and swelling below the knee joint.

But she never lets that stop her from pursuing her dream of becoming the best netballer she can be.

The School Sports Awards recognise and reward the outstanding sporting achievements of young people in our community.

Nominations have now closed and winners will be announced in February.

CLICK TO READ OTHER 2020 NOMINEES’ STORIES:

■ Khai Tran (Henley and Grange Swimming Club member)

■ Grange Surf Lifesaver Kayla Roe

■ Immanuel College Open girls’ basketball team

■ Softball umpire Briahn Cammell