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Uproar over 'disgusting' response to Indigenous netball star's snub

Pictured here, Jemma Mi Mi watches on from the Queensland Firebirds bench.
Jemma Mi Mi was an unused substitute during Indigenous Round. Pic: Getty

When the Queensland Firebirds left the competition's only Indigenous player on the bench for an important round that she'd helped promote, it sparked uproar in the Australian sporting landscape.

Jemma Mi Mi's Indigenous Round snub in Cairns was condemned by netball fans, given her significance to the initiative and the fact she'd featured heavily in promotions before a round meant to celebrate and encourage Indigenous participation in the sport.

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Mi Mi had until recently been a starting player in the side, but was left on the bench for the entirety of the clash against the Melbourne Vixens, with Queensland citing strategic reasons for her failure to feature.

Following the fierce backlash that her snub has caused, the Firebirds have now admitted they "misread community expectations" by not playing the 24-year-old.

"The decision not to put Jemma on the court was the right one from a game-strategy perspective, however we misread community expectations and the significance of Jemma's court time in the game in this round," Firebirds coach Roselee Jencke said in a statement.

"Jemma has and continues to develop our cultural awareness and has shared with her teammates her own cultural journey as a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman.

"We are very proud that Jemma is a Firebird."

However, that statement has not gone down well in the Australian sporting community, with social media users blasting the Queensland club for their "epic fail".

The Firebirds coach said player performance and the team's determination to bank another win after finishing last in 2019 was behind her decision, which resulted in an upset victory over the minor premiers.

Jencke said team selection came from wanting to deliver for fans in the first Super Netball game to be played in the Far North Queensland city.

"This weekend's Indigenous round in Cairns was an opportunity to connect with fans that don't usually have the chance to see us live," she said.

"As a team, our players want to do their best for members and fans.

"Our team selection for Sunday's game was part of our strategy for the season and was made collectively by the coaches and the leadership group based on performance."

Jemma Mi Mi is seen here playing a game for the Firebirds against the Giants in 2020.
Jemma Mi Mi in action for the Firebirds against the Giants earlier this year. Pic: Getty

Netball fans fume over Jemma Mi Mi ‘snub’

With the match winding down and the Firebirds assured of victory, it looked as though Mi Mi would actually get on at wing attack for Lara Dunkley.

However, without a stoppage to allow a substitution, Mi Mi was left awkwardly left pacing the sideline and her introduction never eventuated.

Beryl Friday, another Indigenous netballer who plays in England, said she was "deeply disappointed Jemma didn’t play".

Sports broadcaster Brad Cooke also expressed his anger, calling on the Firebirds to "do better," while many others described the snub as "disgraceful".

“I hope Roselee Jencke truly regrets her decision to not play Jemma Mi Mi, the only Indigenous Super Netball player in the league, during Indigenous round,” Cooke tweeted.

“I'm filthy.”

with AAP