Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2025: Strength, Vision & Legacy
- Grace-Adele Sutherland
- Jul 9
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 21
This NAIDOC Week, Queensland Suns Men's & Mixed Netball proudly stand alongside our First Nations players, coaches, umpires and community members in celebrating the 2025 theme: “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.”
This year’s theme speaks to the power of our past and the promise of our future -celebrating the enduring legacy of Elders and leaders, while uplifting the young voices who will carry their vision forward. As a netball community, it reminds us of the responsibility we share in creating inclusive and culturally rich spaces for all.
To acknowledge the importance of this week, we asked members of our QLD Suns community what NAIDOC Week and this year’s theme mean to them. These powerful reflections are shared below - in their own words - and speak to heritage, pride, resilience, and a collective vision for the future of our game.
Caleb Meredith
Yiman (Iman)
Aus Kelpies #85
Qld Suns #46
“NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, acknowledge achievements - and with this being the 50th year of NAIDOC, it's important to reflect on its history.
This year’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, makes me reflect on the strength of Elders, community leaders and the vision of a brighter future for younger people.
I’ve been fortunate to represent Queensland. I had Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players before me who took me under their wing. It helped shape me as a player and a person. We don’t just represent Queensland - we represent our people.
Today we have our people in all netball roles - coaches, umpires, players - and I think that’s a good thing. I’d like to think that younger players coming through have seen our achievements and will continue to represent our great state. Representation matters.”
Monique de Brueys
Mununjali and Bundjalung
2025 Djubeddah First Nations Team Athlete
Former Qld Suns Athlete
“The 2025 NAIDOC theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’, reminds me of the important role I hold as both a First Nations athlete and a mother - to honour the Elders who have paved the way, to strengthen the systems we move through today, and to lead with integrity for those who come next.
Being part of the Djubeddah First Nations team at the AMMNA titles and winning the Reserved Mixed grade gave us a powerful platform to show the next generation that they, too, can represent their culture proudly and successfully at the highest level.”
Benjamin Gibbs
Margany and Kooma
Former Qld Suns Athlete
“It’s hard to point out just one person who represents strength, vision and legacy - but for me, it’s my mum. If it wasn’t for her, I would’ve never been able to play the game I love. She went above and beyond to get me to every Nationals I played in - especially given we weren’t a wealthy family.
Every time I tell her I’ve made a team and she says, ‘I’m proud of you, son,’ it fills me with joy. That moment means even more to me than making the team itself.
I’d also have to mention my uncle, who let me stay at his place, took me to training, and helped fund my way to Nationals.
My message to younger players? Don’t be the player they talk bad about. Be the leader they want to be.”
Chris Hunter
Kamilaroi
Former Qld Suns Athlete
“NAIDOC Week means a week of reconciliation for my people, and it’s a time for Aboriginal communities to come together. Each year I feel like I’m learning more about my culture.
I feel like each year NAIDOC gets stronger - bringing our Indigenous family and friends together.
Will Davis, from the Jingeri Good Men’s Group in Beenleigh, is someone who truly inspires me - a proud and inspirational man.
I got to play my first Nationals under my heritage - a very proud moment that made me more focused and determined to pursue more.
My message to others is: follow your dreams, never lose faith or your passion - and always be proud.”
Stewart Ting
Biripi
Qld Suns Umpire
“NAIDOC Week is the public celebration for me, my mob, and others across all our countries on this continent. The theme is about the future leaders of our community, but it recognises that this cannot occur without honouring those who came before.
Legacy is created not only by past achievements, but by the potential formed through the decisions we make today. My family represents strength, vision and legacy — generations of struggle, standing tall with pride in our culture, even in adversity.
I’ve never hidden who I am in this sport — even when it’s been hard. Through incredible athletes like Marcia Ella and Sharon Finnan-White, I knew there was community in our game.
My message:
Have pride in yourself - in who you are and who you want to be. Be the example.
Love what you do as much as you love where you come from.
In our sport, ‘team’ is just another word for family. You are never alone.”
Justin Giblett
Warribara man of the Ngadjon-Jii Nation
Qld Suns Athlete MX26
“Our strength is rooted in truth, our vision shaped by those who came before us, and our legacy lives on through every young voice we uplift. We don’t just honour culture - we wear it, we walk it, we live it.”
Andre Robson
Saibai Island
2025 20&U Men’s Athlete
“Embrace your heritage and let it fuel your passion for the game.
Our unique background brings strength and connection that can’t be taught.
Play with pride, respect and honour our ancestors to set an example for our future generations.”
Cultural Tribute Through Our Uniforms
A special part of how we honour our First Nations community is through the custom artwork featured on both our representative team bibs and uniforms — created in memory of Thomas O’Riley, a proud Kalkadoon man and much-loved member of the QLD Suns family.
Thomas contributed to the Suns as a player, coach, and mentor for over a decade. He was instrumental in developing junior boys' netball across Queensland and was a passionate advocate for cultural inclusion and representation within our sport.
The artwork, developed in collaboration with Thomas’s family and community, holds deep cultural significance and is proudly represented on our team bibs and uniforms. The design includes the following elements:
3 Netballs are a representation of yarning circles of Thomas's time playing and coaching Indoor, Outdoor and on Country.
The image is divided into 3 parts representing the land of the Kalkadoon people.
The Emu footprints represent the Kalkadoon totem.
The red and yellow dots represent Thomas's journey through life.
These design elements are more than just visual features - they are woven into the fabric of our identity. Whether seen on a bib or stitched into the uniform, they serve as a living tribute to Thomas’s legacy and a proud reflection of the strength, vision, and cultural heritage he championed.
From the youngest players on the court to the veterans guiding them forward, the QLD Suns are proud to support and celebrate our First Nations communities - this NAIDOC Week and every week.
We are committed to ensuring every voice is heard, every story respected, and every legacy uplifted.
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