Live stream: Tasmania coach confident there’s plenty to take out of Netball Australia First Nations Tournament

Tasmania coach Fiona Geappen is confident her girls will take much more than just results out of the inaugural First Nations netball tournament. Catch every game LIVE on KTV from Friday.

While she’s still not sure they understand the opportunity placed in front of them, head coach Fiona Geappen is confident her Tasmanian team will take plenty of learnings from the First Nations Tournament.

The pilot edition of Netball Australia’s First Nations Tournament is set to take place from Friday and will feature under-23 aged teams from every state and territory across three days of competition.

What you need to know about Netball Australia First Nations tournament

Every match of the inaugural First Nations Tournament will be exclusively LIVE STREAMED on the Mercury website through KommunityTV from Friday to Sunday.

Check out the LIVE STREAM schedule below.

A 10-player squad is set to represent the state at the tournament, with the highly-respected Geappen, also a proud Pinterrairer woman, to once again coach a Tasmanian representative team.

Fiona Geappen leads the Tassie side as a proud Pinterrairer woman. Pic: Sam Rosewarne.

“I think the most exciting thing about this tournament is that we’ve got a young group and there’s opportunities for some girls to play on a national stage that haven’t had those opportunities before,” Geappen said.

“Some have had state experiences which gives us a bit of experience in that setting, but for those newbies, it’s a great opportunity to step out there nationally.”

With the tournament aimed at providing accelerated and equitable opportunities for First Nations participants in netball, Geappen was hopeful the group would return home with a greater understanding of the impact First Nations people have had on the sport.

“I don’t think we even realise how big a stage this is yet,” she said.

“Just hearing from some past Indigenous players that have played for Australia and how happy they are that this is happening (has been great) and how they’re excited to see all the Indigenous talent that this great country has in one place.

“I think all the girls will realise what this tournament means once we arrive.”

Fiona Geappen with daughter Abbey. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones.

While the opportunity was one not lost on the former Australian Institute of Sport member, the chance to coach her daughter Abbey in a state program also brings an extra sense of pride.

“It is nice because it’s probably a bit more that feeling of family happening,” Geappen said.

“I’ve always stayed away from the state-based side of things with Abbey but I think because this is more about your history, culture and background, this was something that is really special to share with her.”

Tasmania will compete in Pool A at the First Nations Tournament alongside South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

Here are all the teams

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