Netball Australia is proud to unveil the official artwork for the 2025 First Nations Tournament, titled ‘Yapenyepuka – Together’, created by Yorta Yorta artist and netballer Alkina Edwards.
The piece will serve as the official logo and visual identity of this year’s tournament, set to take place at Jubilee Park Stadium, Frankston from Wednesday 20 to Sunday 24 August.
‘Yapenyepuka’, meaning ‘Together’ in Yorta Yorta language, reflects the bringing together of people from all nations to celebrate, embrace and share the rich and enduring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
A central gathering circle depicted in the artwork represents community, while the pathway through the centre speaks to the shared journey of learning, understanding and the ongoing legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders.
Alkina Edwards, who hails from Echuca in Victoria, is a proud Yorta Yorta woman and a passionate advocate for First Nations representation through art and sport. She has long used her artistic practice to tell cultural stories and encourage First Nations athletes.
“It means everything to me to be a part of this,” she said.
“Coming from a lot of cultural connections, I’m able to do a lot of different styles and explain different storylines.
“As I created the First Nations Tournament design it made me reflect about all my memories.
“Growing up I didn’t get to see a lot of these opportunities, so being in a position where I can be able to have an input and be a part of these new changes for Indigenous people, I feel really empowered, and I feel excited for what the future holds because I know it’s going to be bigger and better.”
A talented netballer herself, Edwards may be best known to fans for designing the ‘Ganurra’ artwork for the Origin Australian Diamonds dress worn on the international stage.
Shifting from the greens and golds in her first piece for Netball Australia, Edwards spoke to her choice of colour depicted within ‘Yapenyepuka’.
“I wanted to use colours that were calm and soothing because, to me, that’s who we are as Indigenous people, we’re nurturers, caregivers, healers,” she said.
“Being someone who has been a part of the game, it’s quite easy for me to depict what I wanted represented – which was coming together, celebrating, laughing, being a unit, being a team.
“I hope when people first see this piece, they get an understanding of what it is – a time for us to be connected with one another.”
The 2025 First Nations Tournament will bring together players, coaches, umpires and communities from across the country in a vibrant celebration of culture and netball.
Following a successful pilot in 2024, the event is now a permanent fixture on the national netball calendar and a key pillar in Netball Australia’s commitment to meaningful and lasting partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Netball Australia General Manager, First Nations, Ali Tucker-Munro, said Edwards’ piece is an impactful addition.
“Alkina’s artwork captures everything this tournament represents,” Tucker-Munro said.
“To see her story woven into the identity of the tournament is incredibly powerful. It is a reflection of how netball continues to elevate and honour First Nations voices in genuine and meaningful ways.”
Under-23 teams from every state and territory will compete across five days of high-energy match play, connection and cultural exchange.
The full fixture can be found here.
This year’s tournament is proudly supported by Visit Victoria as the official host partner, alongside Suncorp and the Confident Girls Foundation as official event partners.
