Eleven athletes are proudly representing the Northern Territory at the 2026 First Nations Tournament, taking to the national stage for five days of netball, culture and connection in Melbourne.
Led by Co-Captains Kaissara Hayes and Sonnyanne Raggett, the NT First Nations Team is competing against 23/Under representative teams from every state and territory at the State Netball Centre in Parkville.
Held from 16–20 September on Wurundjeri Country, the First Nations Tournament provides an important national platform for First Nations athletes, bringing together emerging talent from across Australia while creating opportunities to build connections, celebrate culture and continue developing within the netball pathway.
Following a successful pilot in 2024, the tournament has become a permanent fixture on the national netball calendar.
Representing the Territory
The 2026 NT First Nations Team brings together athletes with connections across the Territory and beyond, including Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Borroloola, Robinson River and Larrakia Country in Darwin.
The athletes come from many different mobs, communities and Countries, bringing their own stories and connections to the team while coming together under the NT banner on the national stage.
The squad also reflects the many different pathways through which First Nations athletes are participating in netball. Athletes in this year's team are involved across clubs and associations in Darwin and Alice Springs, interstate competitions and First Nations development programs.
Across the five-day tournament, the NT will face every other state and territory during the rounds before the competition concludes with finals on Sunday.
2026 Northern Territory First Nations Team
Kaissara Hayes – Arrernte, Anmatyerr, Kaytetye, Dieri, Arabana, Kokatha, Ngalakan and Garrawa (WD / GD / GK) – Co-Captain
All times are NT time (ACST).
9:45am – Tasmania v Northern Territory
6:00pm – Western Australia v Northern Territory
8:30am – Northern Territory v ACT
4:45pm – New South Wales v Northern Territory
3:30pm – Northern Territory v South Australia
11:00am – Northern Territory v Queensland
6:00pm – Victoria v Northern Territory
Finals – opponent and time determined following the completion of the pool rounds.
Supporters across the Territory can follow the NT First Nations Team throughout the tournament, with every match available to watch live and free.
Sunday’s broadcast will depend on the team’s final position following the rounds, with playoff and medal matches available across both YouTube and SBS.
The 2026 tournament also marks the beginning of a new broadcast partnership between Netball Australia and NITV, helping increase the visibility of First Nations athletes, stories and communities and making the tournament accessible to audiences around Australia.
Follow Netball NT on Facebook and Instagram throughout the tournament for updates as we celebrate our athletes and officials proudly representing the Northern Territory.
