By Erin Lyons
Proud Noongar woman Donnell Wallam is the queen of chill.
“I’ll just go with the flow. Whatever happens, happens,” she said.
It’s the kind of ‘take it as it comes’ attitude many can only aspire to and for the 28-year-old Queensland Firebird, it is the only way she knows.
“I just like to just chill out on game day. So normally I'd play some country music,” Wallam said.
Hailing from the small West Australian town called Harvey, which is “known for its milk”, Wallam says, the 190cm shooter was signed by the Firebirds in early 2022 to fill a void left by Romelda Aiken who is due to give birth later this year.
Wallam didn’t only fill the void, she dominated in her first Suncorp Super Netball League season, sinking more than 500 goals and finishing in the top 20 players for Nissan Net Points.
Since then, her journey to Diamonds selection has been a whirlwind.
WALLAM’S METEORIC RISE
After a standout maiden season in the SSN, Wallam was named in the extended Diamonds squad, and has now booked herself a ticket to Birmingham as one of three training partners chosen to travel with the 12-woman squad heading to the Commonwealth Games.
A feat, she wasn’t expecting.
“I was happy with whatever the outcome because this was my first season, so I thought whatever happens is just a bonus for me,” Wallam said.
Donnell Wallam says teammate Gretel Bueta inspires her every day. “When Stacey said I didn't make this one (team), I was like, ‘oh that’s okay’ and I was a bit down. But then she told me I was a reserve.
“She asked me if I was okay and I was like, ‘yeah, this is so cool. I’m fine’. I’m just excited and happy for the opportunity.”
Wallam is the third First Nations woman to represent Australia in the Diamonds squad, following in the footsteps of Sharon Finnan-White and Marcia Ella-Duncan.
Having played professional basketball before making the transition to netball, Wallam confesses it hadn’t always been a dream to play professional netball, but now that she has a taste of the elite level, she wants to go all the way.
“Now that I have reached being in the Diamonds squad, my next goal is to get on court and play for Australia,” she said.
“It means a lot because being a First Nations athlete… there's not much representation in netball. So being able to play netball at the highest level in Australia is just huge for the next generation.
“I'm really proud that I can be that role model for other Indigenous athletes.”
Donnell Wallam has been selected to travel to Birmingham as a training partner. Picture: Erick Lucero Wallam still considers herself a “newcomer” to netball so while she isn’t as familiar with the players of the past, it’s the players of today who truly inspire her.
“I’m in awe of their athleticism. They are amazing athletes and it seems a bit surreal that I get to be on the same team as these like likes of Ruby (Bakewell-Doran) and Gretel (Bueta). And now I’ll be able to play with Ash Brazill and Courtney Bruce. It’s a bit of a pinch yourself moment, like oh my gosh, I'm up there with the best," she said.
Motivation comes easy for Wallam too. When she’s faced with a new challenge, she is willing to grasp it with both hands and not take anything for granted.
The next challenge though … is getting on the court.
“There are a few opportunities after the Commonwealth Games that will come up so I am going to work really hard in trainings, and really push my case and hopefully be able to play for the Diamonds.”
ABOUT DONNELL
Name: Donnell Wallam
Positions: GS
Game day breakfast: Smashed avocado on toast with eggs and bacon
Game day pump up song: Anything chill (I prefer to relax)
