Donnell Wallam opens up about the Hancock sponsorship saga and reveals that her father was part of the stolen generation

Everyone from shock jocks to keyboard warriors had an opinion on netball’s sponsorship saga. Donnell Wallam reveals the family history behind her decision and why she will always stand up for ‘my mob’.

Donnell Wallam has acknowledged that her stance in the Hancock Prospecting sponsorship saga has taken a personal toll.

But remaining true to her beliefs has given the proud Noongar woman great satisfaction.

Not only because she hopes it eases the way for the next generation of First Nations athletes, but because it enabled her to be the best version of herself as a person and elite netballer.

“It was obviously a difficult time and I’m just so grateful that the girls in the Diamonds environment and the staff all had my back,” Wallam said.

Last October, she told her teammates she had sought a personal exemption from wearing the Hancock logo on her uniform for her debut series in the Australian team because of heinous comments made by company founder Lang Hancock in the 1980s about sterilising Indigenous Australians.

“We were kind of in a bubble, so we tried to block out as much (noise) as we could, even though there was so much out there,” she said.

“The one thing I learnt from that is to always back yourself and stand by what you believe in and that’s something that I’ll always do because first and foremost, I’m a human and I’ve got values and I’ve got a life outside of netball.

“So if I’m not true to myself, then I’m not the best netballer I can be.”

Embracing the Diamonds’ “Sisters in Arms” mantra, Wallam’s teammates called for the entire team to be exempted from wearing the logo for the series against England.

Though Wallam and her teammates eventually agreed to wear the company’s signage, Hancock withdrew its sponsorship offer.

Wallam bore much of the flak for the breakdown as the goal shooter prepared for her maiden Test in the eye of a media storm.

Donnell Wallam with her mother Donna after playing for the Diamonds. Picture: Getty Images

WEATHERING THE STORM

Everyone from shock jocks to anonymous keyboard warriors to casual netball fans had an opinion on the sponsorship saga and few were shy about dragging Wallam into the fray.

“It was really difficult,” Wallam said of that period.

“But if I’m not stepping up and having that conversation, then it’s going to be on the next person that comes through and we want to be making our pathways and netball environments an easier place and more enjoyable place for First Nations athletes. As difficult as it is, someone has to do it.

“And if that’s me, then I’ll take on that load for the next generation to come.

“I hope that when we do look back on it in the future that we’ve learned something from it. That’s the main thing.”

In her second Super Netball season, Wallam has accepted her position as a role model for young First Nations players she hopes will be encouraged to continue their journey through the pathways to increase the representation of Indigenous netballers at the elite levels.

As she prepares for the Queensland Firebirds’ home game of the First Nations round, Wallam reflected on her own role models, athletes including basketballer Lauren Jackson, tennis player Serena Williams and Olympic icon Cathy Freeman.

They may be her high-profile sporting idols, but it’s the role models in Wallam’s own family who have helped shape her beliefs and instil the courage it took to make her recent stance.

“My dad was part of the stolen generation,” Wallam said.

“So it hits home when stuff like (Lang Hancock’s statements about sterilising Indigenous people) are out there.

“I’m always going to be an advocate for my family and my mob.”

Donnell Wallam celebrates scoring the winning goal for the Diamonds. Picture: Getty Images

FIRST NATIONS FEATS

It helps explain how Wallam found something extra in only the Firebirds’ third win of the season over the Giants last week, form that she would hope to emulate in the First Nations round clash with fourth-placed Melbourne Vixens at Nissan Arena on Sunday.

The West Australian played on country with the Firebirds last year, beating eventual premiers West Coast Fever in front of her mob. It was the first time her family had seen her play at the elite level.

“That was really special, to play at home in the First Nations round in front of my family. And that was the first time they’d seen me play. So I really embraced that and it was really special to have my family in the crowd finally and when we got the win, it just topped it off,” she said.

“Seeing how the girls just embraced Jem (Jemma Mi Mi) and I and how they embrace this round and make our Firebirds environment a culturally safe place for us, it’s really special to be a part of.”

After having twins in the off-season, Mi Mi is no longer playing but her younger sister Leesa debuted a fortnight ago and made her first Super Netball start against the Giants last week, giving the Firebirds the only two First Nations players in the league.

“You’ve got to see it to be it and now we’ve got a few (First Nations) training partners in the league who have played a game here and there, which is really exciting and really good to see and hopefully they’re inspiring the next generation,” Wallam said.

Her mother and three nephews will be in the crowd on Sunday and Wallam hopes to put on a show for the improving Firebirds against an all star Vixens defensive unit, including form keeper Emily Mannix and Diamonds teammate Jo Weston.

Donnell Wallam and Jemma Mi Mi are ready for Indigenous Round. Picture: Queensland Firebirds

DIAMONDS SPOTS ON THE LINE

As well as pushing for the Firebirds’ fourth win of the season, Wallam is playing for a place in the Diamonds’ squad for the World Cup in South Africa in July, although she’s trying not to let that cloud her preparation.

“We had one-on-one feedback meetings a few weeks ago now and we have regular team check-ins every fortnight which is really nice to just catch up with the group and connect,” Wallam said.

“I have gotten feedback from Stace (Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich) and it’s something that I’ve been trying to implement into my Firebirds environment now and just try and improve every week.”

With Cara Koenen and Steph Wood all but assured places, and Kiera Austin looking likely to win a place among the shooters, it’s believed the final goaler will be a choice between Wallam and Magpie Sophie Garbin.

Wallam won’t allow herself to get caught up in speculation .

“I just keep my head in clubland, do what I can do for the Firebirds and keep working on what Stace (Marinkovich) asks me to work on,” Wallam said.

“And then whatever will be will be. When you’re in this (Diamonds) team, you want the best for the team and whatever the coaches pick will be the best for the team and that’s 100 per cent what I’ll back.”

Originally published as Donnell Wallam opens up about the Hancock sponsorship saga and reveals that her father was part of the stolen generation