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The Australian Institute of sport is dedicated to developing strategies and programs as a guide for sporting clubs to implement in partnership with First Nation peoples. They aim to foster inclusion and respect for First Nations peoples, clubs should collaborate with them to develop strategies and policies. Establishing connections with local Aboriginal peoples by Acknowledgement of Country at sporting events, featuring a Welcome to Country, displaying the Indigenous flags and artwork. Enforce clear anti-racism policies with consequences for discrimination. Promote First Nations individuals in leadership roles within the sporting club and address financial or transport barriers to participation.

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Australian Sports Commission is determined to have more Australians participating and excelling in sport, from grass-roots right up to the pinnacle of elite competition.

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Tennis Australia hosts an annual Indigenous carnival in Darwin each year. This event brings together hundreds of Young First Nations people from across Australia to celebrate Indigenous culture, with the goal of connecting through tennis. The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival has a broad range of experienced players. For some this event may be the first time being exposed to the sport or the pinnacle for players to progress in their tennis career, it aims to be inclusive to everyone. It also provides opportunities for pathways into being a ball-kid, as-well as exposure to other career opportunities in Tennis. The carnival also celebrates Indigenous culture off the court through music, food, education and cultural activities.

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Tennis Australia in conjunction with its Member Associations want to continue to provide more accessibility and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to participate and engage in tennis through educating clubs and coaches, enhancing talent identification, providing pathway opportunities, creating more playing opportunities through community events and tournaments and providing funding for Indigenous tennis programs, equipment and coaches.

Reconciliation Action Plan

Initiatives
National Indigenous Tennis Carnival
The annual National Indigenous Tennis Carnival is held at the Darwin International Tennis Centre, the carnival celebrates youth, culture, music, food and sport through the delivery of tennis, cultural activities and workshops.

The carnival has two types of competitions available, participation and performance to allow participants of all abilities aged between 12-18 years to be involved.

For more information read the NITC 2024 Fact Sheet or get in touch with your state/territory contact.

2024 First Nations Events & Contacts
Racquets and Red Dust Program Tennis Australia's First Nations Ambassador - Ash Barty
In April 2018, Australian tennis player Ash Barty was named Tennis Australia's First Nations Ambassador in a move to attract more Indigenous youth to tennis.

"I'm a very proud Indigenous woman and I think that for me taking on this role is something very close to my heart. I'm very excited," Barty said.

"If we can get more kids playing tennis more kids enjoying tennis across Australia within the Indigenous communities that would be amazing.

To find out more, visit National Indigenous Tennis Carnival.
Tennis for Schools
With participation options for all schools including regional and remote schools, the Tennis for Schools programs focus on the delivery of tennis in a modified environment which supports maximum participation and caters to the developmental readiness and individual needs of all students.

To find out more, visit https://www.tennis.com.au/schools
Evonne Goolagong Foundation
The Evonne Goolagong Foundation is the realisation of Evonne's dream for life after the pro tour. To give as many Indigenous children the opportunity to be the best they can be. The Evonne Goolagong Foundation uses tennis as a vehicle to attract Indigenous girls and boys in order to promote and help provide high quality education and better health through diet and exercise.

For more information visit http://www.evonnegoolagongfoundation.org.au/

Partnerships
Buldau Yioohgen Youth Leadership Academy
The Buldau Yioohgen Youth Leadership Academy is a youth centric program that facilitates and encourages young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents to realise their full potential, gain a greater understanding of, and pride in, their heritage and culture, and understand the importance of becoming leaders in their community.

Tennis Australia contributes to the academy through hosting visits, running talks/workshops and supporting employment opportunities for academy members and alumni.

Our commitment

Tennis Australia is committed to increasing opportunities and accessibility to tennis for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through:

Engagement with Indigenous communities

Educating clubs and coaches

Enhancing talent identification

Providing pathway opportunities

Creating playing opportunities through community events and tournaments

For further information about Indigenous tennis programs and inclusion, please email [email protected]

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Tennis Australia in conjunction with its Member Associations want to continue to provide more accessibility and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait...

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sport

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sport

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First Nations people have a history of being involved in westernised sports dating back to colonisation period. In the nineteenth century sport was limited to only aboriginal men, and they could only participate in cricket, running and horse-riding, in the twentieth century it extended to AFL, rugby league and boxing. The range of other sports were limited to Aboriginal people due to residential and movement regulations enforced by the government. Barriers were built on racism, discrimination and conflict, limiting first nations people to partake in sport, to date this is still an issue that is trying to be reversed.

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sport: Sporting Literacy, Attenuated Agency, and Survivance

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In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a long history of involvement in Western sports. Many of these physical activities emanated originally from Britain, Europe, and the…

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Tennis Australia is the nation's organisation responsible for tennis at every level Australia wide. They are dedicated to making the game accessible and to be enjoyed by every Australian regardless of race or ethnicity. Tennis Australia understands the vital importance of sport being played in developing communities and the compelling effect it has on Indigenous communities. They aim to work with federal and state government to provide access to tennis in remote and rural indigenous communities across Australia.

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Evonne Goolagong was the first Aboriginal person to win a grand slam and to be inducted to the Australian sporting hall of fame. She has advocated for Aboriginal rights and youth sports development throughout her entire career. She created a program for young indigenous Australians to participate in tennis which has been running for 28 years and has a broad impact on the game in relation to indigenous youth. Her achievements and advocacy created a legacy in tennis and Australian sports history, symbolising resilience and excellence whilst fostering greater recognition of Aboriginal talent.

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Since 2005, Evonne has run the Goolagong National Development Camp for Indigenous girls and boys. Using tennis as a vehicle to promote better health, education and employment, the program has awarded school scholarships, produced university scholars, tennis players, coaches, and sports administrators and has helped with employment placement. Since 2012, under the auspices of the Evonne Goolagong Foundation and in conjunction with the Australian Government, the Dream, Believe, Learn, Achieve programme has conducted Tennis Come and Try Days nationwide giving access to Goolagong State Development Camps which in turn feed into the GNDC .

In the Australia Day Awards 2018 Evonne was awarded Australia's highest honour. She was appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to tennis as a player at the national and international level, as an ambassador, supporter and advocate for the health, education and wellbeing of young Indigenous people through participation in sport and as a role model. Watch Evonne receive her award on Rod Laver Arena. Click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PgtXqBGqrg

On 5th June 2018 Evonne received the Philipe Chatrier Award, the International Tennis Federation's highest accolade given for exceptional contributions to tennis on and off the court.

Evonne and husband Roger have two children Kelly Inala and Morgan Kyeema, two grand daughters Beau Maya and Lucy Nikita, a grandson Theodore James Yarraga and reside at Noosa Heads Qld where they are the proud patrons of both the Noosa Football and Tennis Clubs.

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Since 2005, Evonne has run the Goolagong National Development Camp for Indigenous girls and boys. Using tennis as a vehicle to promote better health, education and employment, the program has awarded school scholarships, produced university scholars, tennis players, coaches, and sports administrators and has helped with employment placement.

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Barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity for Aboriginal 

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Barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity for Aboriginal 

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Participation of sport and exercise could minimise the inflated health risks faced by First Nations people. Aboriginals are less likely to engage in physical activity than non aboriginal people, they are also at higher risk of developing diseases such as diabetes and obesity which can be prevented. The development of mental disorders and psychosocial distress are also a higher proportion risk to be developed by Aboriginals. Barriers to why include limited access to facilities, financial constraints, cultural disconnection, and health disparities. Social factors such as discrimination and lack of role models also are a factor.

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Barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents: a mixed studies systematic review - BMC Public Health

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Background Participation in sport and physical activity could minimise the inflated risk of poor physical health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents. This review aimed to synthesise existing quantitative and qualitative literature regarding barriers and facilitators to physical activity and sports participation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Methods Literature was systematically searched to include studies reporting barriers or facilitators to physical activity and/or sports participation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–18 years. Using a pre-established taxonomy based on the social-ecological model, a deductive analysis was performed. Quality appraisal was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results Of 3440 unique articles, nine studies were included with n = 10,061 total participants. Of the nine included studies one reported on participants from urban areas, two from regional and three from remote areas. Three were from representative samples of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Barriers were reported in all nine studies: 18 individual, 9 interpersonal, 27 community and 4 at the policy level (58 total); Facilitators were reported in five studies: 12 individual, 11 interpersonal, 11 community and 3 policy level (37 total). Conclusions Research in this area is lacking with some states in Australia not represented and small samples. Strategies for improving participation in sport and physical activity by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents need to integrate a comprehensive identification of barriers and facilitators with a social-ecological understanding of how community and cultural factors can impact individual participation.

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Initiatives that do not centre First Nation community involvement are unlikely to have a positive effect, barriers to participation includes racism, high costs and lack of transport stops First Nations people partaking in programs. It also can lead to them feeling unincluded resulting in anxiety, psychological distress and depression. Programs that are culturally safe and community led have positive results leading to higher participation from Indigenous people. ‘Dead or Deadly’ has had great success with 648 people partaking in the wellbeing program, this is because of considering culture and community.

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When physical activity programs include cultural elements, they are even better for First Nations people

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For First Nations people, social and emotional wellbeing can depend, opens in a new window on connection to land, culture, spirituality and community. Disruption to these values, opens in a new window can be harmful.
The most recent data show 24%, opens in a new window of First Nations adults have been diagnosed with mental health or behavioural conditions. This is likely due to lasting and intergenerational effects of historical injustices, racial discrimination and cultural displacement.
Through our research we have found First Nations physical activity programs can improve social and emotional wellbeing. These programs enhance confidence and self-esteem, improve community cohesiveness and cultural identity, and deepen connection to Country. We know physical activity can improve mental health, opens in a new window and wellbeing. It can also prevent and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, opens in a new window.
Cultural physical activity, opens in a new window (hunting, gathering, customary activities and connecting with Country) has been a part of First Nations people’s lifestyles for tens of thousands of years. These practices still hold cultural relevance today.
Going on Country, opens in a new window has benefits for physical, social, emotional and cultural wellbeing for First Nations people. These include a healthier diet, more frequent exercise, sharing of culture, more family time, and spiritual connection.
A review of physical activity programs for First Nations people identified 110 different programs running between 2012 and 2015. Most of these programs are still running in 2023.
Our recent review found First Nations physical activity programs, opens in a new window improved confidence and self-esteem, improved community and cultural connections, and deepened connection to Country. These findings are based on available evidence on the relationship between physical activity and First Nations social and emotional wellbeing. The review examined nine physical activity programs and initiatives which aimed to improve social and emotional wellbeing among First Nations people.
The programs we looked at were First Nations-specific physical activity programs and included women’s programs, camps, sports teams and coaching courses.
What doesn’t work
Programs that do not centre First Nations community involvement and connection are unlikely to be well received or effective. These programs often have barriers, opens in a new window to participation such as, opens in a new window lack of transport, high program costs, or may clash with family and community commitments.
Racism, opens in a new window within programs and services can stop, opens in a new window First Nations people accessing them. It can also affect, opens in a new window physical and mental health – potentially leading to anxiety, depression, smoking, psychological distress and poor sleeping patterns.
What does work
Culturally safe physical activity programs that are community-led and adopt First Nations values are effective in improving social and emotional wellbeing.
An example of such a program is Dead or Deadly, opens in a new window. This program has seen over 648 First Nations women participate in personalised health and wellbeing programs. Women participate in group exercise, health education and camps where they improve fitness, reduce smoking, reduce chronic disease indicators, reduce psychological distress and increase resilience.
A quote from one of the participants highlights the positive effects of the program, which can help participants …
[…] live through anything that is put in front of them. Survive the violence; learn to live through anything. Beauty of being a cultural person; culture makes you stronger. Another is Deadly Choices, opens in a new window, run by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health. The program started as a social program and included community events which focused on health education and health screening. These include making choices to stop smoking, to eat healthy food and to exercise daily. It helps people improve their knowledge of chronic disease risk factors and encourages engagement with local health services. It has been running since 2010, and programs and events include sport and recreation, cooking programs, and programs to help quit smoking.
Another key part of this program is the Deadly Choices social networking site, opens in a new window where First Nations identity and culture is celebrated, and online yarning takes place to create and build an online community to speak about healthy choices.
Support from family and friends and opportunities to connect with community and culture are also essential for programs to work. An example of this is the Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club, opens in a new window – a First Nations club based in Melbourne. Through football and netball, the club aims to increase health, increase positive parenting and strengthen the First Nations community of Melbourne. This is done through increasing cultural values and strong community connections within the team.
These cultural values include the sharing and representation of cultural knowledge through making sure family and community are at the heart of the club. Some participants spoke about feeling a sense of cultural identity and pride when representing their family groups and saw football as an opportunity to give back to their community.
Development, implementation and evaluation of physical activity programs need to be informed by First Nations people. And First Nations knowledge, cultural beliefs and practices need to be valued. This is the only way to ensure positive changes in social and emotional wellbeing. Brett Biles, opens in a new window, Associate Dean Indigenous & Senior Scientia Lecturer., UNSW Sydney, opens in a new window; Grace McKeon, opens in a new window, Postdoctoral research fellow, UNSW Sydney, opens in a new window; Jonathan Bullen, opens in a new window, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Indigenous Advancement, Curtin University, opens in a new window; Rona Macniven, opens in a new window, Research Fellow, UNSW Sydney, opens in a new window, and Xhana Tishler, opens in a new window, Medical Student, UNSW Sydney, opens in a new window
This article is republished from The Conversation, opens in a new window under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article, opens in a new window.

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Social determinants and the health of Indigenous peoples in Australia

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Social determinants and the health of Indigenous peoples in Australia

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Improving the health of Indigenous Australians remains a major challenge, with a significant gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health status. This disparity, recognized as a human rights issue, stems from social determinants like limited access to healthcare, inadequate infrastructure, and socioeconomic disadvantages. The National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health emphasizes a holistic approach, addressing physical, cultural, and social well-being. Despite some improvements in health measures, inequalities persist, with Indigenous Australians experiencing worse health outcomes compared to the general population. Systemic discrimination and inadequate access to services continue to hinder progress, exacerbating health inequities.

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Social determinants and the health of Indigenous peoples in Australia

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Improving the health status of Indigenous peoples1 in Australia is a longstanding challenge for governments in Australia. The gap in health status between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians remains unacceptably wide.2 It has been identified as a human rights concern by United Nations committees3; and acknowledged as such by Australian governments4.

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Financial disparity between First Nation people and non-indigenous is apparent today with indigenous households earning on average $616 less than non-indigenous households. Income disparity results in lessened access to goods, healthcare, nutritious foods, transport which leads to an overall unhealthy lifestyle. The correlation to financial abundance and living a healthy lifestyle is apparent, 32% of indigenous have poor health comparatively to 13% of non-indigenous, 44% have psychological distress compared to 18% of non-indigenous. Lack of income means lessened participation in sport leading to poor mental and physical health.

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The health and welfare of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

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The health and welfare of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

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21% of Indigenous Australians live in remote areas, those living in remote regions are more likely to live in over-crowded conditions. Smoking and drinking is more prefound in those living in remote regions, leading to overall less healthy living. Due to the lack of facilities in remote regions in Australia participation in sport is less than urban and rural regions. Expenditure for health care and other facilities are also increased in remote regions because of the lack of supply.

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

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The health and welfare of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: 2015, Differences by remoteness

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The health and welfare of Australia@s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 2015 is the eighth in a series of reports that provide a comprehensive statistical picture of a range of topics…

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AFL Indigenous programs aim to promote and support the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australian Rules Football. It focuses on increasing Indigenous participation at all levels of the game, from grassroots to elite. Key components include talent development programs, community engagement, and cultural education to foster inclusivity and respect. It also celebrates culture through events like Indigenous Round, highlighting the contributions of Indigenous players and promoting reconciliation. By addressing barriers and providing opportunities, the AFL Indigenous Initiative seeks to enhance representation and ensure a positive impact on Indigenous communities. The AFL has had a great response from these initiatives and has had over 20 years of success.

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The AFL is proud of its commitment to foster and strengthen inclusion and diversity in Australia's Game.

The Coles AFL Indigenous Program and Rio Tinto Footy Means Business Program ensure we can provide people with more opportunities than ever before to participate in the game as a player, fan, volunteer, umpire, coach or employee.

With strong support from our player ambassadors, the programs encourage indigenous participants to engage in football development, leadership and cultural identity initiatives with nine per cent of our elite players from indigenous backgrounds.

The AFL is proud of its commitment to foster and strengthen inclusion and diversity in Australia's Game.

Jason Mifsud
AFL's Head of Diversity

The AFL delivers a number of dedicated AFL programs at grassroots level to indigenous communities and also focuses on the next generation of AFL footballers.

The AFL indigenous programs include the KickStart Championships (male and female), the Flying Boomerangs, Footy Means Business, talent pathways, Club Partnership Program, Indigenous All-Stars, Dream Time and Coaches Academy.

The objectives of the AFL indigenous programs are to provide opportunities to be engaged in the game as a fan, player, volunteer, umpire or employee.

The AFL also fosters employment opportunities in the wider community through partnerships with Rio Tinto and AFL corporate partners.
The aim of the programs is to expose participants to football development, leadership and cultural identity.

This is achieved through education on the AFL's indigenous programs' four pillars: resilience, communication, decision-making and identity.

FOOTY MEANS BUSINESS
Each year, the Rio Tinto Footy Means Business program provides high performance and employment opportunities for 50 young indigenous men (aged 18-24) from across Australia. The program consists of two camps held in February and May. The AFL and Rio Tinto have set a 100 per cent target for participants to be engaged in employment/education or training at the completion of the program.

INDIGENOUS ALL-STAR
The AFL Indigenous All-Stars, in conjunction with the AFL Players' Association, invite all AFL indigenous players from around the country to participate in a camp, which focuses on career development and leadership.

THE KICKSTART PROGRAM
The KickStart program uses Australian Football as a vehicle for education, health and participation outcomes for indigenous male and female youth.

KICKSTART CHAMPIONSHIPS
The National KickStart Championships are an annual event, which sees more than 150 indigenous players representing their state in a round-robin football carnival over five days. The KickStart Championships are also the pathway to the Flying Boomerangs.

THE FLYING BOOMERANGS
The Flying Boomerangs is a personal development and leadership program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young men (aged 14-15).
These participants are the best rising indigenous talent in the nation and are given the chance to represent their country. Selected from the AFL KickStart Under-15 Championships, the Flying Boomerangs squad of 25 players play football matches against a developing country.

FEMALE KICKSTART
The AFL's first indigenous nine-a-side KickStart Championships consists of seven state teams (12 players a team) with a total of 84 indigenous females playing in the National Female KickStart Championships. Twenty-five of the best-performing participants throughout the championships will be selected to represent the Flying Woomeras team in the Youth Girls National Championships.

WOOMERAS
The AFL Woomeras program is a national female indigenous development program. Selected from the National Female KickStart Championships, the program has been established to provide young indigenous women with the opportunity to develop on and off the football field.

COACHING ACADEMY
In 2013, the AFL launched the Indigenous Coaching Academy. With a lack of senior indigenous coaches at the elite level, the academy is aimed at seeing participants complete the program with the potential of becoming a senior coach in the AFL industry.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Through social media, the AFL can communicate directly and interact with the indigenous community. The media platforms include an indigenous
Facebook page, indigenous Twitter account and the AFL website. There are also relationships with NIRS radio and NITV.

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The AFL is proud of its commitment to foster and strengthen inclusion and diversity in Australia's Game.

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Ash Barty has made an 115k donation to Tennis Queensland over the next three years to help fund Indigenous tennis programs across Queensland. She hopes that it will help grow the amount of Indigenous participation in tennis. By hosting Indigenous programs integrates culture and sport, creating an inclusive environment for Indigenous people to participate in sport and embrace their heritage whilst doing so.  It is of importance for indigenous people to embrace their culture as it is such a large part of their identity so incorporating cultural elements through sport helps foster a harmonious environment.

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Far North Queensland's up-and-coming tennis stars will be among the first to benefit from a series of programs designed to help young Indigenous players hone their skills.

The Australian Tennis Foundation (ATF) has today announced $115,000 to fund Indigenous Tennis Programs in Queensland over the next three years.

ATF ambassador and world number one, Ash Barty, said the initiative was about supporting Indigenous children across a range of areas.

"I think it's incredible to see the pathways that are now available to Indigenous youth," she said.

"It's really special to be able to give people of all ages that opportunity to grow and learn about how much sport has to offer in the way of connecting people and communities."

The announcement comes after Barty, a proud Ngarigo woman, spent a week in Far North Queensland getting to know the region's aspiring Indigenous players.

During the visit, Barty swapped serves with a group of 20 students at Cairns West State School and went on a guided walk through Mossman Gorge with six young players from the Cairns region.

Barty said the programs would help Indigenous children develop through sport.

"This funding provides an opportunity, not just in tennis, but in education and in experiences," she said.

"It's all about giving opportunity to Indigenous youth and providing pathways through tennis to show what our sport can do for our culture."

The first of the programs will be rolled out in Far North Queensland and Toowoomba, in collaboration with local organisations.

'We want to make incredible human beings'

Tennis coach and Jirrbal woman Kieryn Lenoy said it was an amazing opportunity for local players.

"There's always been a lot of talk about growing the Indigenous space for tennis up in the Cairns region, so it's great news that there is funding an investment into this area," she said.

Ms Lenoy will be involved in delivering the Indigenous Tennis Program in Cairns as a mentor.

"Tennis is purely the vehicle for our Indigenous participants," she said.

"If we can get them on board with playing tennis we'd look to provide a holistic approach to supporting them in their pathway through life.

"We don't want to make just fantastic tennis players, we want to be able to make incredible human beings from the program too."

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Barty helps announce $115,000 boost to Indigenous tennis

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Far North Queensland's up-and-coming tennis stars will be among the first to benefit from a series of programs designed to help young Indigenous players hone their skills.

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The NRL is dedicated to enriching the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in rugby league through various initiatives. This includes celebrating Indigenous culture and achievements during the NRL Indigenous Round. The league provides targeted development programs and pathways to nurture young Indigenous talent, ensuring they have access to opportunities within the sport. Although their efforts to date, they acknowledge there is more work in the sport. They have three focuses for the next four years and that is to develop an Indigenous historian project, expand on the all-star round and their “Beyond the field” employment program.

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Sport NZ’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitment

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Sport NZ’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitment

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Sport NZ is dedicated to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) across all areas of sport and recreation in New Zealand. This means acknowledging and valuing Māori culture, ensuring Māori have fair access and opportunities in sports, and building strong partnerships with Māori communities. Sport NZ is aims to support Māori goals in sports leadership, participation, and development, and fostering a deeper understanding of Māori culture within the sporting sector. By adhering to the Treaty’s principles of partnership, participation, and protection, Sport NZ has the goal to boost Māori involvement and support the overall well-being of Māori communities through sport.

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Our journey | Sport New Zealand - Ihi Aotearoa

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Sport NZ recruited a Toihautū Principal Advisor Māori in November 2017 with a focus on increasing the cultural capability of Sport NZ

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Netball Australia's efforts include initiatives such as the annual Indigenous Round, which celebrates Indigenous culture and achievements in the sport. Netball Australia supports Indigenous athletes through targeted development programs and pathways, aiming to enhance their opportunities in netball at all levels. They also provide free coaching accreditation courses for all Indigenous people, to give them an opportunity to be further involved in the game. Across the netball season they host Koori gala days throughout different regional towns which is an event with cultural richness and acknowledgment.

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This website is not compatible with Internet Explorer. Some features might not work correctly in this browser.

We recommend that you use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari for the best browser experience.

Main navigation

Netball NSW acknowledges the various Traditional Custodians of the land across the wide netball landscape in NSW. The Aboriginal lands and waters on which we build our courts, clubhouses, and facilities that are essential to our game are acknowledged as ancient and respected ground, and we acknowledge and celebrate the significant and ongoing contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout the Netball NSW community.

Contact

For more information on First Nations Netball, please contact Jenny Moroney, Growth & Innovation Manager at jmoroney@netballnsw.com

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This website is not compatible with Internet Explorer. Some features might not work correctly in this browser. We recommend that you use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari for the best browser experience. Main navigation Netball NSW acknowledges the various Traditional Custodians of the land across the wide netball landscape in NSW.

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Tennis Queensland acknowledges and promotes Indigenous culture via social media in a vague manner. Creating more awareness and education about indigenous culture particularly in times that are significant to Aboriginal history. This would make the organisation more well received by the Indigenous peoples and establish solidarity between the organisation and community. There is no dedicated Indigenous acknowledgement made my tennis Queensland displayed anywhere on their webpage.

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National Reconciliantion week is celebrated every year in June. It commemorates the 1967 referendum and High Court Mabo decision; these events were pivotal points for Indigenous Australians. In this week communities, schools and workplaces across Australia to show commitment to reconciliation and fight for the future of Aboriginal rights. Continuous efforts and reconciliation strengthen relationships between Indigenous people and the wider community. A united country helps sports to create a diverse community in sporting organisations. This week of reconciliation shows the nations unity and ability to come together as one.

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Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry 'Black Harry' Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal-Wallaballooa man William Lane aka 'Billy the Bull' - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

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NRW2023 theme: Be a Voice for Generations

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The theme for National Reconciliation Week, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives - where we live, work and socialise.

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The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games intends to highlight the rich diversity and talent of First Nations communities in Australia, to create a legacy for future generations. The event will actively collaborate with Traditional Custodians in both Host and Co-Host Cities, integrating First Nations perspectives into procurement and recruitment processes. The upcoming games provides Tennis Queensland to showcase their best Indigenous players. Increasing programs in the next years to create pathways for those to compete at the Olympic Games in 2032 would be invaluable to the states sport.

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First Nations and the Games | Brisbane 2032

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First Nations culture and representation is at the heart of Brisbane 2032, leaving a legacy that will continue to change the Australian nation as we know it and for generations to come. Read more.

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Queensland selected 30 Indigenous youth to partake in the annual National Indigenous Tennis Carnival. This event gives youth exposure to playing tennis at a higher level and has invaluable insights. It is a cultural centered event and gives Indigenous players an opportunity to network, it is a pinnacle event for players on and off the court. Integration of culture and sport is of high importance to Indigenous players having an event rich in culture is progressive for tennis as a sport.

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Sports role in closing the gap for First Nations people

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Sports role in closing the gap for First Nations people

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Although sport has often contributed to division and discrimination against Indigenous people in Australia, it has also proven to be a powerful tool for engagement and positive change. The enjoyment derived from participating in sports, whether actively or passively, offers intrinsic benefits and serves as an effective means to involve communities in programs aimed at broader social and personal development goals. This creates opportunity for Tennis Queensland to bring together non-indigenous and Indigenous people through sport.