Stories - February 9, 2026
From Fiji to centre court: Jabez finds her feet through netball
Pictured above: Jabez and her mother Alelia at the Giants’ pre-season clash with the Firebirds at Griffith Sports Centre. Photo by Netball NSW.
Just months after arriving in Griffith, 10-year-old Jabez has found confidence, friendships and belonging through netball and the support of Intereach.
After taking part in a mother-daughter netball program designed to reduce barriers for newly arrived families, she was selected for the Griffith Netball Association’s under 11 development squad before earning a once-in-a-lifetime moment on centre court at a Giants pre-season match.
Coming from Fiji, this feels like a dream come true for her. Jabez was overwhelmed and excited. She told me she will never forget the day she was selected for the squad,” her mother Alelia said.
Alelia and Jabez moved from Fiji to Griffith in September 2025 under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Family Accompaniment Pilot Visa, reuniting with partner and father Isikeli who was already living and working in Australia.
Like many newly arrived families, they faced the challenges of settling into a new country, navigating unfamiliar systems and finding their place in the community.
Through Intereach’s Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program, the family received practical support and connections to schools, services and community activities.
“The key to settling well is connection and feeling like you belong,” SETS multicultural worker Simone Murphy said.
“For Jabez and her mum, sport became a powerful pathway into the community.”
That pathway began in November when Netball NSW, in partnership with SETS, delivered a four-week netball clinic in Griffith for women and girls from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Beyond developing skills, the program created a welcoming space for families to connect and build confidence.
Despite having only played netball at school, Jabez’s rapid progress earned her selection in the squad — and an invitation from the Giants to attend a skills clinic ahead of their pre-season clash with the Firebirds at Griffith Sports Centre, where she met the players and took centre court to deliver the first ball.
“The netball clinics and engagements have pushed Jabez’s confidence and passion to another level,” Alelia said.
Netball is her favourite sport — she plays for the love of it. But after watching the game, she now dreams of playing goal attack and hopes one day to compete at a national level.”
Off the court, Alelia has seen her daughter become more confident meeting peers and adjusting to life in Australia.
She credits SETS for helping her family settle smoothly — from enrolling in school and accessing services to navigating licences and supporting Jabez’s participation in netball.
“Moving from a small island country to Australia is challenging, but the support we’ve received has made a huge difference,” Alelia said.
For Simone, the family’s journey highlights what’s possible when new arrivals are given the right support and tools.
“Alelia has worked incredibly hard to actively create opportunities for her family and then seize them,” she said.
“This is what SETS is about — helping families to thrive in their new home.”
SETS provides free settlement support for newly arrived migrants and refugees so they can become independent and contribute to the Australian community.
To learn more about SETS, call 1300 488 226 or visit www.intereach.com.au/service/settlement-engagement-and-transition-support-sets/
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