Moorditj Yorgas in Sport

Courtney Ugle is a proud Ballardong/Wardandi Noongar woman whose life has been shaped by both deep loss and the strength she found through football. After losing both of her parents at a young age, Australian rules football became more than a game, it became her anchor, her community, and a place to rebuild.

Competing at state level and in the VFLW, Courtney learned powerful lessons about resilience, leadership, and showing up even when life feels heavy. Today, as the founder of Waangkiny, she shares her story with honesty and heart, helping others find strength in their own challenges and reminding us all, the power of connection and conversation.

Courtney Ugle is a powerhouse of resilience and a proud Noongar woman from Bunbury, Western Australia, who has transformed personal tragedy into a mission of hope, healing, and big dreams. She is the founder of Waangkiny, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering communities and fostering change through storytelling.

Growing up in an environment marked by domestic violence, Courtney has faced significant challenges that have fueled her vision and purpose. She is driven to be a voice for those whose stories need to be told and heard, breaking cycles and creating ripples of change to inspire others to find their strength.

Sport has played a pivotal role in Courtney’s journey, serving as both an escape and a powerful tool for healing, discipline, and growth. From a young age, she found strength, purpose, and community through sport, using it as a way to navigate life’s hardships and channel her energy into something great.

She believes in the power of shared stories to not only heal but to unite and uplift. Through Waangkiny, Courtney delivers keynotes, workshops, and consulting services that guide individuals and communities to move beyond adversity, embracing resilience and ambition. Her message is one of boundless hope, big dreams, and the belief that every person has the potential to transform pain into purpose.

Beyond her work with Waangkiny, Courtney has impacted countless women and young people through programs addressing family violence, promoting healthy relationships, and encouraging personal growth, with a strong focus on supporting Aboriginal youth and women. As a speaker, she is known for her authenticity, warmth, and ability to connect deeply with audiences, leaving a lasting impact and empowering others to find their voice.

Courtney’s story is one of strength in adversity and the belief that hope can rise from hardship. Through her work, she is building a legacy of courage, compassion, and a future where everyone can dare to dream big.

Paige James is a proud Wongi/Yamatji and Bidjara woman from Perth whose love of movement started as a child flipping off couches and playground bars. That energy led her to gymnastics, where she became the first Indigenous gymnast selected on an Australian team, representing her country at just 12 years old.

Along the way, Paige won national and international medals and was mentored by Olympic legend Cathy Freeman through the Sport Australia Hall of Fame program. Her journey has been shaped by perseverance, community, and a deep sense of cultural pride showing that talent, heart, and support can take you further than you ever imagined. 

Through embracing her culture, country and family, Paige has been able to find a passion in plants, animals and the environment. Her connection to her people and Parna (country) has provided her with a passion and strong sense of identity post sporting life.

Narelle Henry is a proud Noongar woman born on Whadjuk Country in Boorloo, whose story is grounded in connection, courage, and community.

As a young girl with big dreams, Narelle signed her first professional contract with the Perth Breakers in the WNBL an opportunity made possible by her mentors, family, and community members who believed in her. Basketball taught Narelle resilience, discipline, and the power of having people in your corner. Those lessons have shaped every chapter of her life since.

From athlete to coach, teacher, and now General Manager of Ember Connect, Narelle leads with heart. She is passionate about creating the same networks of support and opportunity for First Nations women that helped shape her own journey.

As a mother of two daughters, her work is deeply personal. She is driven by the hope that her girls and all Indigenous young women grow up confident, proud, and able to walk into any space knowing they belong.

Narelle believes real change happens through relationships and that when women come together, they don’t just rise, they lift others with them.