Donnell Wallam, in her first camp with Australia’s netball team, on the cusp of making her debut as just the third First Nations player to represent the Diamonds, addresses the squad on her personal misgivings about the proposed sponsorship deal between Netball Australia and Hancock Prospecting.

There was no lecturing from Wallam, no suggestion that any player should not wear the Diamonds dress featuring the Hancock livery.

Just a proud Noongar woman from Western Australia explaining to her teammates why she would be seeking a personal exemption from wearing the Hancock logo in her debut series on the grounds of conscientious objection given hurtful statements made by the company’s founder, Lang Hancock, in the 1980s about Indigenous Australians.

On court, Wallam exudes a competitiveness and confidence that belies her quiet nature off it.

Diamonds captain Liz Watson remembers how daunted she felt entering camp for the first time and marvels at Wallam’s ability to stand up for what she believed in, in that environment.

“It does say a lot about our culture and the way that we want our squad to run and how people can come in for the first time, or the 50th time, and just feel comfortable to be themselves and speak up,” Watson said.

“That’s what I’m most proud of is that everyone can feel like that.

“It was Donnell’s first camp. I remember my first camp and it was so daunting being there in front of those scary older players, so for her to (make a stand), we had to wrap our arms around her obviously and support her as much as we could.

“So I was really proud of that.”

There were tears after Wallam’s address.

And an immediate reaction from the playing group to enact their “Sisters in Arms” mantra and stand with Wallam, refusing to see her marginalised by wearing a different uniform from teammates on debut.

“While she’s quiet, she does have a firm set of beliefs and values and will stand up (for them) which aligns with (her ability to rise in) those pressure situations in games,” one person in the room during Wallam’s address said.

“I think that’s her personality and her character,”

History shows the Hancock deal eventually broke down, the company citing “the complexity of existing issues between Netball Australia and the Players Association” as the reason.

But it also took aim at athletes “virtue signalling”.

Netball’s pain has been a gain for other sports and organisations though.

As the Hancock saga unfolded publicly, the events have also acted as a learning tool for other sports.

One senior football official said the whole Hancock incident had forced their club to examine how they would handle a potentially divisive sponsor or a conscience-driven player stance.

EFFECT ON THE BOTTOM LINE

Doomsayers predicted Netball Australia would lose more deals after Hancock walked away and the already financially stricken sport would be on its knees due to stances taken by players.

It has been anything but the case.

The Victorian Government’s events arm, Visit Victoria, was in negotiations with Netball Australia just 24 hours after the breakdown of the Hancock deal and struck a $15m four-and-a-half-year sponsorship of its own with the sport just over a week later.

Existing sponsors confirmed they would stick with netball and a raft of blue chip supporters have also jumped on board, none of them scared away by Wallam’s stance.

Rather than being an impediment to prospective partners for the game, Wallam’s actions seem to have actually strengthened netball’s brand.

Netball Australia’s recently-appointed First Nations director Cheryl Kickett-Tucker believes Wallam’s actions were a seminal moment in the sport.

“It’s like a Nicky Winmar moment really,” Kickett-Tucker said, comparing Wallam’s actions in standing up for her beliefs to the famous moment 30 years ago when St Kilda AFL star Winmar lifted his jersey and pointed at his skin after being racially vilified during a match against Collingwood.

While a photo of Winmar’s actions made the moment immediately memorable, it was what they stood for that made them endure.

Like Wallam, Winmar was not comfortable with the spotlight that came with his stance and he still struggles to “celebrate” the moment given it was so intrinsically linked to the vile and consistent racist abuse he copped that day.

But 30 years on, he recognises the importance of his stance for the next generation — even if, at times, he struggles to see change.

It has been just six months since Wallam made her stance.

And it may be difficult for her to see the difference that it has made, just yet.

Wallam bore much of the burden for the Hancock breakdown, the “go woke, go broke” brigade bombarding social media and blaming the goal shooter personally for the sponsorship loss.

Even after Wallam’s incredible Diamonds debut in which she won the game with a signature lay-up that gave Australia a one-goal win against England, Netball Australia was forced to issue a statement condemning “racism and all other forms of personal abuse” directed at players and pleading for hurtful and divisive online attacks to stop.

AT WHAT COST

The biggest loser has been the player herself.

Time, they say, heals all wounds.

But six months on from the Hancock debacle, Wallam is yet to speak candidly about the issue.

Heading into First Nations round this week, the league’s only regular Indigenous player – Leesa Mi Mi made her Super Netball debut for Wallam’s Queensland Firebirds last week, playing the final quarter against West Coast Fever – Wallam has been largely absent from promotional work.

She should be front and centre of celebrations.

But so scarred by the events of last year is Wallam, that the club’s release on its First Nations dress last week focused on defender Remi Kamo’s Maori heritage rather than Wallam’s Indigenous roots.

The Firebirds’ win over the West Coast Fever in Perth last year when Wallam — playing on country in front of family and friends — and Jemma Mi Mi started the match with ochre on their faces, was a highlight of the season and a massive celebration of their heritage.

“I hope (her reticence to be front and centre) is not because of (the Hancock saga),” Watson said.

“I think naturally her personality, she is quite quiet and reserved and I don’t think she likes that attention at any time.

“But we obviously keep supporting her as much as we can, we’re reaching out as a squad all the time.”

Unlike the AFL and NRL, where First Nations players thrive and a different story can be told during every First Nations round with each tale contributing to the rich tapestry of their leagues, Wallam carries the burden of being the only regular First Nations player in Super Netball – teammate Leesa Mi Mi’s debut last week notwithstanding.

Former teammate Jemma Mi Mi – Leesa’s older sister, who finished up with the Firebirds last season and recently became a mother to twins – knew that feeling all too well.

Until Wallam’s Super Netball debut last year, Mi Mi had carried the lonely burden of being the only Indigenous player in the league.

Her treatment in being used so heavily in promotion of the First Nations round before being stranded on the sidelines and not hitting the court at all just three years ago, forced Netball Australia to pledge to take significant action to break down the barriers that have historically prevented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, coaches, umpires and administrators from flourishing in the sport.

That Declaration of Commitment, signed by a coalition of 20 of netball’s peak organisations including NA, Super Netball and its clubs, member organisations and the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA), came under fire last year when Wallam was treated as a pariah as the Hancock saga played out.

But Watson believes the Firebirds, at least, have learnt plenty from that time and will have the appropriate support around Wallam.

“I know the Firebirds have lots of support. They’ve had some incidents in the past as well, so they’ve definitely got that experience to lean on and those people around her, so I’m sure that they’ll support her as much as they can,” she said.

“And I’m sure she’ll do what she can in her own way and I know that her family and friends will definitely support that.

“And having Jemma there and now her sister, who just debuted, which was really exciting, I’m sure they’ll make (First Nations Round) really special for them in their own way.”

Wallam is not ready to speak about the details of last year – may never be.

But Kickett-Tucker said it was not her responsibility.

“If Donnell’s chosen to be a bit (quiet), I can understand that, she’s protecting herself,” Kickett-Tucker said.

“Her job right at the moment is to perform on the court.

“She’s a professional. She’s got a job to do. And she’s keeping her mindset in that place.

“You don’t have to be the first person that’s got to speak to media or be outspoken, or speak at all.

“You can choose — and she’s got every right to do that.”

Wallam’s Hancock stance may become her legacy but it will not define her.

“When you said to me Donnell’s name, do you know what I remembered?” Kickett-Tucker said.

“That awesome lay-up (that won the Diamonds the game against England in her debut) and a pretty finger roll at that. It was perfect.

“We’ve really got to ride the train of goodness and success and accomplishment instead of looking back.

“We’ve got to learn from that but not dwell in that space.

“She’s amazing.”