Courtney Ugle is a proud Ballardong/Wardandi Noongar woman from Bunbury, Western Australia, a storyteller, survivor, athlete, and advocate whose life has been shaped by resilience and purpose.

Born into a family where domestic violence was tragically normalised, Courtney’s early years were marked by deep trauma. At just 11, she lost her father. Eight years later, she experienced the unimaginable again and her mother was murdered at the age of 42. These events shook the very foundation of her world.

But this is not just a story of loss, it’s a story of rising.

“Trauma ran in my family until it ran into me.” – Courtney Ugle

Football became her sanctuary. It offered more than just movement, it was a space to breathe, to heal, and to rebuild. Through sport, Courtney discovered her strength and began shaping a life led by purpose, not pain.

Today, Courtney works fiercely to break cycles of adversity, speak truth to power, and advocate for safer, more connected communities. She shares her story not to shame her past but to shine a light for others navigating their own.

“This is a story of hope and big dreams.”

Waangkiny: Speaking Truth, Creating Change

Out of her journey, Waangkiny was born - a social enterprise that means “speaking” in Noongar language. Waangkiny creates space for people to share stories, find their voice, and transform hardship into healing. It exists to empower through storytelling and cultural understanding because stories can shape the future.

Through workshops, keynotes, and community-led initiatives, Waangkiny is helping others do what Courtney has done: turn pain into power.

Introducing the Waangkiny x Fractel Collection

To mark NAIDOC Week 2025, Fractel is proud to partner with Courtney Ugle to launch a limited-edition capsule collection, featuring her original artwork and story woven into every piece.

The collection includes two caps and two t-shirts, each created to honour culture, healing, and the strength of community. These are designed to be conversation starters, carrying deep meaning and connection to Country.

Featured Colour ways:

Ochre – A natural earth pigment ranging from yellow to deep red and brown. Used for tens of thousands of years in Aboriginal rock art, body painting, and ceremony, ochre symbolises connection to land and culture.

Condil – Inspired by Allocasuarina fraseriana (Common Sheoak), an integral tree to Noongar Country. With reddish-brown bark and spiky round fruit, it holds deep spiritual and emotional meaning, reflecting endurance, community and strength.

These colours and designs reflect Courtney’s roots, her resilience, and the powerful message behind Waangkiny. They are a reminder that when we speak our truth, we create space for others to do the same.

More Than a Collection

This collaboration is about more than clothing. It’s about amplifying voices that have been silenced, celebrating stories that deserve to be heard, and supporting a movement that’s reshaping how we connect with ourselves, with each other, and with culture.

“We are the warriors and the dreamers, and there are no limits to what we can achieve.”

We invite you to wear these pieces with pride, knowing you are part of something bigger.