Firebird Jemma Mi Mi proud to be Indigenous ambassador

Firebirds midcourter Jemma Mi Mi cannot wait for the day when she is not the only Indigenous player in Super Netball.

Queensland Firebirds midcourter Jemma Mi Mi is looking forward to a day soon when she is not the only Indigenous player in Suncorp Super Netball.

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And she feels proud and privileged to be the face of the competition’s Indigenous Round this weekend, as well as being a role model to young girls who want to follow in her footsteps.

The Firebirds will host the Melbourne Vixens at the Queensland State Netball Centre on Saturday and the Round 8 clash will carry great significance for Mi Mi, who was a junior representative star in both netball and touch football.

Firebirds player Jemma Mi Mi with the club's indigenous dress.

Mi Mi’s indigenous father grew up in Gayndah in the North Burnett region, which is home to the Wakka Wakka tribe.

An ankle injury suffered in the days leading up to last year’s inaugural Super Netball Indigenous Round robbed the 23-year-old of the chance to play in a specially-designed Firebirds uniform honouring her heritage.

Jemma Mi Mi in action for the Firebirds in their recent draw with West Coast Fever.

But Mi Mi will be front and centre on Saturday, when the Firebirds will again play in a dress designed by artist Rachael Sarra.

“It was heartbreaking last year,’’ Mi Mi said. “I felt like I let people down by not playing so I’m really excited about being able to wear this Firebirds dress for Indigenous Round.

“I’ve been looking forward to this round all year.

“Being the only indigenous player in the competition, I really want to take on that position as a role model and inspire young girls.

“I want to give them the confidence to think they can one day play at the elite level.

“There’s programs in place to ensure that we are getting the coaching for young indigenous girls and building up their skills, so hopefully it won’t be long at all until I am not the only one in Super Netball.

“I know there is plenty of talent out there.’’

Greg Inglis meets Firebirds players Tara Hinchliffe (left) and Jemma Mi Mi during Queensland State of Origin training last year.

Mi Mi relishes any opportunity she gets to work with Netball Queensland’s Diamond Spirit program, which aims to empower and educate indigenous girls in regional and remote communities.

“I love talking to the girls in high schools and using netball as a way to get them physically active and learning about team building skills. It’s great to see them build their confidence,’’ she said.

The injury-hit Firebirds are last on the ladder and winless heading into the second half of the season but Mi Mi expects the home team to bounce back from the heavy loss to archrival NSW Swifts last weekend.

“It’s been really positive at training throughout the week. We know we are going to have the crowd right behind us,’’ she said.

Originally published as Firebird Jemma Mi Mi proud to be Indigenous ambassador