Pitman said she jumped at the opportunity to join the SAASTA program and become an Ambassador.
“For me, Australia’s Indigenous culture is close to my heart and something I am passionate about," she said.
"Growing up my first ever coach at Randwick Netball Club was Marcia Ella-Duncan. Marcia was the first Indigenous person to play for Australia. She is now inducted into the Netball Australia Hall of Fame and is on the Board of Directors.
“Marcia is someone I absolutely idolised and for me to be able to learn more about Australia’s Indigenous heritage and to help out the girls in the SAASTA program is a great opportunity and an honour.
“Marcia is still a big part of Netball Australia and the SSN, and for me to be able to pay homage to her culture is special.”
In her role as SAASTA Ambassador, Chelsea will provide a connection between SAASTA’s ANA and the Adelaide Thunderbirds and provide inspiration and support to girls wanting to progress through the netball pathways.
Chelsea’s own values around family, culture and her ability to navigate connection to the countries she’s played netball in being Australia, England and New Zealand has meant that she has been embraced by the girls in the ANA and respected in her involvement in the program.
“I have met with the SAASTA students and I spoke about why I love netball and the Adelaide Thunderbirds. I also asked them why they are part of such an amazing program,” Pitman said.
Along with providing support to the SAASTA students, Pitman’s goal is to educate the international players who have moved to Adelaide about Australia’s Indigenous history.
