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The Deadly Little Dolphins program by Swimming Australia addresses the historical underrepresentation of First Peoples in swimming that was shaped by colonisation, limited access to facilities, and systemic barriers. However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have deep cultural connections to water. In response, DLD was co-designed with local community or schools to provide swimming lessons, water safety education and Indigenous coaching development. Reflecting on this culturally responsive approach, First Peoples’ sport participation is not only about competition but also about cultural identity, safety, and creating inclusive pathways toward opportunities like Brisbane 2032.

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Swimming Australia - Deadly Little Dolphins To Improve Swim Safety And Pave The Way For First Nations BNE32 Success

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Deadly Little Dolphins is Swimming Australia’s national call to action to ensure that Aboriginal…

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Osmond (2019) examines how sport operated within Aboriginal settlements during the early to mid-20th century. Sport became a site where Aboriginal people expressed resilience and identity as well as introduction as part of colonial control and assimilation policies. Compared to organised games, Aboriginal participants did not simply adopt practices like instill discipline, Christian values, and a sense of order. They reshaped them and found moments of enjoyment, pride, and subtle resistance despite restrictive conditions. Sport has a dual role as both a tool of control and a space for agency, providing crucial historical context for understanding First People’s participation in Australian sport today.

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Indigenous sporting pasts: Resuscitating aboriginal swimming history

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This paper explores swimming as an area of sport and physical culture in which Aboriginal involvement historically is little understood. Although colonial reports and contemporary historiography co…

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Swimming Australia’s submission highlights the historical importance of swimming programs in remote Indigenous communities, particularly in the Northern Territory and Gulf regions of Queensland. These programs tackle historical inequalities in access to aquatic education and facilities because of the isolation and historical neglect. Efforts include developing local instructors, managing pool facilities, and integrating swimming lessons into community life. Beyond recreation, swimming has historically promoted water safety, health and disease prevention. It also enhances the education and self-confidence of children. This historical context highlights the importance of culturally responsive and sustainable aquatic programs.

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Olympians and an Indigenous swimming coach visited the Torres Strait Islands and inspired more than 250 young Indigenous participants. This is one of the Olympic Movement but it’s about more than competition. This initiative demonstrates the importance of cultural knowledge, lived experience, and mentorship in creating pathways for First Peoples in sport. Supported by Swimming Australia, this program promoted safe, inclusive swimming, opening the door for youth to believe in themselves and embrace opportunities through sport.

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Olympians and Indigenous swimming coach spread Olympic spirit in Torres Strait Islands | Australian Olympic Committee

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Olympic swimmers and swimming coaches have inspired more than 250 young Torres Strait Islanders to get into swimming and pursue their dreams during a special Australian Olympic Committee community visit.

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This research examines the cultural transitions Indigenous athletes face when moving into professional sport. It highlights the issues such as identity negotiation, cultural dislocation and the demand for tailored psychological support. Athletes benefit from mentoring, community ties, and institutional practices that respect Indigenous identity because the representation alone is not enough for transitions. Swimming Australia can learn from these insights to ensure Indigenous swimmers convert early engagement into sustained participation by mentoring, culturally safe coaching, family or community involvement.

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This article outlines Indigenous participation in the AFL shows how sport can challenge racism and provide pathways. Beginning with the introduction of Rule 30 in 1995, initiatives such as Dreamtime at the G, and youth programs like KickStart highlight how structured sporting interventions can generate both cultural recognition and tangible opportunities. These lessons suggest that Indigenous-focused programs require more than participation, it demands respect for cultural identity, mentorship, and educational pathways. For swimming Australia, the Deadly Little Dolphins program ensures social inclusion as much as skill development.

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The NRL’s School to Work program supports Indigenous youth with transitioning from education to higher education or career pathways. This program was established in 2012 across 11 clubs, it has provided career planning, culturally relevant workshops, internships, and mentoring for up to 12 months. This model addresses educational and employment barriers while integrating cultural knowledge and community engagement. School to Work leverages rugby league role models and community support to inspire Indigenous youth, improve participation, educational outcomes, and build career and leadership skills.

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Swimming Australia announced that they joined the national “We Win Well to Inspire Australians” commitment for Brisbane 2032 in collaboration with key Olympic, Paralympic, and Commonwealth Games organisations. This strategy emphasizes not only athletic performance but also the cultural, emotional, mental, and physical well-being of athletes. To enhance diversity and inclusion within sport, incorporation of the perspectives of indigenous athletes and coaches is the central part. Swimming Australia aims to create an inclusive environment and sustainable pathways for indigenous participation, respecting Indigenous knowledge and cultural backgrounds through programs and organisational practices.

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Swimming Australia - Swimming Australia Joins United Commitment: ‘We Win Well to Inspire Australians’

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Swimming Australia is proud to have joined forces with the country’s peak Olympic, Paralympic and…

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Brisbane 2032 has formally commenced the implementation of its inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). It’s the first implementation as an Organising Committee. The RAP strengthens respectful relationships and cultural awareness by involving staff at all levels and consulting First Nations advisors. Also, it ensures RAP principles are embedded into organisational practice. For Swimming Australia, this would fit the Reflect RAP stage. It will form the basis for inclusive and culturally responsive pathways, supporting foundational engagement and co-design of programs with First Nations communities.

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Brisbane 2032 have commenced the implementation journey for their inaugural 'Reflect' Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) having received formal endorsement from Reconciliation Australia.

It also marks the first time an Organising Committee as delivered a RAP.

The Reflect RAP was developed by Brisbane 2032's RAP working group, with input across the entire Brisbane 2032 team and supported by First Nations cultural consultants, BlackCard and YarnnUp.

Elaine Chambers-Hegarty, Brisbane 2032 CEO Cindy Hook and Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris hold the Reflect RAP artwork on a balcony.

Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris AO formally announced the commencement of the Organising Committee's RAP this week.

"One of the commitments in Brisbane's bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032 was to harness the gift of the Games to advance opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples," he said.

"I'm proud of the work that Brisbane 2032 has collectively achieved to date in engaging with and championing First Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live, work and play. Together with the broader team, I look forward to continuing to learn from and listen to First Nations communities in the lead-up to our Games in 2032."

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are the oldest continuing living cultures in the world, and Queensland is the only place in Australia where both cultures meet.

From the Torch Relay and Opening Ceremony to the vibrant closing events, Brisbane 2032's aim is to showcase the diversity and talent of First Nations communities, leaving a legacy that will continue to shine brightly for generations to come.

Brisbane 2032 Board Director and proud Kaanju man Patrick Johnson OAM OLY says that reconciliation is about everyone, not just First Nations people.

"I think the incredible legacy of Brisbane 2032 is that we're showing the world what we can do, and how we can unify people to see themselves - regardless of nationality, background, or the colour of their skin - as part of this great country. We'll showcase that to the world through the legacy of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games," he said.

"We've got so much happening in this space that we can drive and lead, and we can show the world how great we are when we talk about real change, for real people, in real moments of history."

Shelley Reys AO, Elaine Chambers-Hegarty, Brisbane 2032 CEO Cindy Hook, Olympian Patrick Johnson and Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris hold the Reflect RAP artwork.

Going behind the artwork - The journey towards reconciliation

The artwork was created by Elaine Chambers-Hegarty, a Koa (Guwa), Kuku Yalanji and Barada Barna woman born and raised in Brisbane.

In the artwork, you'll notice pathways for cultural exchange, with dots and strokes leading to various gathering circles. These represent the connections between different areas, such as the inner Brisbane city area - Turrbal and Yuggera people, Logan - Yugambeh and Moreton Bay areas of the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara people. Redlands and the Quandamooka People, Ipswich district who are the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul People, and beyond. While the interconnected design honours the cultural diversity and deep histories of communities throughout the broader region.

Chambers-Hegarty explains that the artwork focuses on Brisbane, saying that "the inner circle is a gathering place, and the little U-shapes represent Elders and mob from different areas."

The main central circle symbolises the heart of Brisbane and also serves as a representation of an Olympic ring. Additionally, a central yarning circle is placed in Brisbane's CBD, acting as the focal point of the Games.

"The symbols at the top relate to coral spawning, symbolising new beginnings and the connection to the reconciliation journey. The footsteps leading into the bridge represent our walking path, and including them was a way of saying, 'let's all walk together," she added. "The role of art in reconciliation is that it sparks a story, and I hope it encourages people to dig a little deeper into our culture and discover more."

Chambers-Hegarty also reached out to Ronald Henry Monaei, a Meriam (Torres Strait), Kaurareg (Aboriginal), and Mongoprang (Papua New Guinea) artist, to contribute to the design elements featured in the depiction of the Story Bridge - symbolising a modern pathway connecting both sides of the Brisbane River.

He contributed meaninful symbols from his culture, which were woven into his illistrations of the Story Bridge to sumbolise the coming together of communities and traditions. These include:

Spears - Emphasise the importance of laying strong foundation for future

Wave symbols - Images of the water and the waves, and the importance of the sea and what it provides. Brisbane River is also the connection to Moreton Bay and the salt water.

Footprints - Our people that walked these lands, and those that made their way to live here from our own homelands - honouring and respecting First Nations cultures, heritage and knowledge.

Boomerangs - Weapons used, and also use for sport.

Brisbane 2032's Reflect RAP focusses on extending cultural capability, diversifying relationships across First Nations communities, building and sustaining a commitment to reconciliation and encouraging First Nations business and procurement participation.

Brisbane 2032 will monitor and report on RAP commitments and success, with the intention of progressing through the four RAP structures (Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate) by 2032.

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The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee (Brisbane 2032) pays its respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors of this land and their legacy. The foundation laid by these ancestors - Australia's First Peoples - give strength, inspiration and courage to current and future generations, both Indigenous and non Indigenous, towards creating a better Australia.

We recognise it is our collective efforts and responsibility as individuals, communities and governments to ensure equality, recognition and advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across all aspects of society and everyday life, including sport. We are committed to building a deeper connection with First Nations Peoples through meaningful listening and authentic engagement. We celebrate and honour all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Olympians and Paralympians past and present and we are committed to honouring their unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and the rich contribution they have made and continue to make to society and sport.

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Brisbane 2032 commences Reconciliation journey | Brisbane 2032

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Brisbane 2032 have commenced the implementation journey for their inaugural 'Reflect' Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Learn more about the RAP and the artist involved.

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This article questions that sport can act as a universal solution for Indigenous disadvantage. They label the “panacea proposition” and argue it risks complex social challenges and divert attention from more sustainable initiatives in education, health, and community development. Also, it reinforces stereotypes such as the Indigenous “natural athleticism”. Authors highlight risks associated with over-relying on sport rather than empowerment of communities: resource diversion, unfulfilled expectations, and sufficient evaluation of impact. Their analysis underscores the importance of avoiding simplistic narratives and sport organisations should take planning based on the evidence, evaluation, and broader strategies which support Indigenous participation and wellbeing.

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View of Indigenous Participation in Australian Sport: The Perils of the ‘Panacea’ Proposition | Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal

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Netball Australia has announced the creation of its first First Nations national invitational team, the Black Swans. The team of 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes will compete in the 2024 Pacific Netball Series. The team’s debut made an important milestone for representation and recognition in the sport. Led by Indigenous coach Ali Tucker-Munro, the initiative provides visibility and pathways for First Nations players at an elite level. For swimming, this model illustrates how cultural programming (combining identity, leadership and performance) can celebrate culture while also addressing historical underrepresentation.

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Netball Australia announces First Nations national team

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Netball Australia is excited to announce the establishment of its inaugural First Nations national invitational team.
The team will showcase 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander netballers from across Australia as they compete at this year’s Pacific Netball Series, taking place between June 10 to 15 at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena.

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Keung and Enari (2022) explore how Indigenous perspectives reshape understanding of the professional athlete career lifespan. They argue that Western sport systems often emphasise individual achievement, which can conflict with Indigenous values of community, service, and collective identity. Their study proposes a culturally grounded model that reframes athlete pathways, recognising roles such as mentoring and community contribution beyond peak performance years. This perspective highlights the importance of valuing Indigenous cultural frameworks within sport organisations to create more inclusive and sustainable athlete development systems.

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The Professional Athlete Career Lifespan: Through an Indigenous Lens - International Journal of the Sociology of Leisure

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The rise of non-European sport athletes has meant a need for their cultural ways to be acknowledged in the sporting arena. Although the players’ cultures are visible in sports, through war chants, tattoos, and cultural singing, much of their interactions as athletes are underpinned by foreign western centric philosophies. Many of them are forced to work in an environment which privileges individual capitalism, over their cultural values of service. The failure of sporting organisations to understand the cultural beliefs and practices of players has not only resulted in cultural exclusion but also an incorrect analysis of the player lifespan of these athletes. As Indigenous researchers, we use a culturally appropriate service model to underpin the lifecycle of these professional athletes. Through the analysis of three Indigenous professional athletes from various sporting codes, we provide insight into their professional life span along with their priorities, responsibilities, and duties. By exploring their narratives through a cultural lens, the professional life span of a rookie, veteran and legend athlete are explored and analysed. It is envisioned that this article will provide a strengths-based view of Indigenous athletes and the unique worldviews they bring.

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The Yarning About Water Safety report presents research conducted with First Nations communities on Wiradjuri Country, exploring how cultural traditions influence water safety knowledge. Four key themes emerged:

・The role of family in teaching

・The importance of storytelling

・The river as both cultural centre and site of danger

・The value of hands-on experience

These findings show that water safety education is deeply embedded in Indigenous cultural practices and highlight the need for programs to respect and integrate these approaches.

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Forsyth and Paraschak (2014) examine the development of Indigenous sport in Canada over 50 years. They highlight the dedicated government bodies, events, and culturally relevant programs of the creation of a distinct Indigenous sport system. The establishment of the Aboriginal Sport Circle provided national integration, advocacy, and support for initiatives led by communities. Also, It's promoting participation and representation. These developments demonstrate the effectiveness of Indigenous governance and culturally informed programs in increasing engagement. For Swimming Australia, this example emphasizes the value of empowering First Nations communities, ensuring culturally appropriate and inclusive pathways in swimming.

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50 years of Indigenous sport in Canada: An overview of 2 key advancements and challenges

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‘Girls’ Pole Push Competition at the Dene Games Competitions’, Arctic Winter Games 2010, Grande Prairie Alberta, March 2010 (Photo: Michael Heine) Imagine what sport in Canada might look like had Indigenous peoples and their cultures not been colonized? Imagine how Canadians might understand who they are and their relationship to each other if Indigenous sports…

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This article argues that the importance of embedding Indigenous perspectives at the center of Australia’s sports strategy. It highlights how traditional Indigenous games historically built community, strengthened relationships, and resolved conflicts. By embedding these cultural practices into modern sports and policies, Australia can create more inclusive systems and redefine the identity in global sport. This highlights how First Peoples’ perspectives can reshape domestic and international sports policy. It is important that initiatives such as Swimming Australia’s Deadly Little Dolphins reflect this vision by actively embedding cultural knowledge and pathways for First Nations swimmers.

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‘Deadly’ sports diplomacy: why Australia’s Indigenous people must be a part of our sports strategy

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First Nations games predate the Ancient Greek Olympics by tens of thousands of years – this history should be reflected in Australia’s sports diplomacy strategy.

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The article critiques the assumption that sport naturally aligns with Aboriginal communities and their needs. Through the lens of “cultural offset,” the authors underscore that using sport for development among First Peoples often relies on unconscious, simplified assumptions rather than culturally grounded strategies. Rather than automatically improving health and wellbeing, these initiatives risk reinforcing colonial narratives. The article argues that meaningful engagement requires acknowledgement to the broader historical and social contexts of First Peoples’ lives.

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Stronach et al. (2023) identify key sociocultural factors influencing physical activity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. The study identifies barriers such as family responsibilities, financial constraints, health issues, experiences of racism, and cultural pressures.　At the same time, cultural connections, social support networks, and engagement with traditional games encourage participation. The findings highlight that understanding these social and cultural factors is essential for designing effective programs. For Swimming Australia, these insights emphasize the need for culturally informed aquatic initiatives that resonate with First Nations communities and support meaningful participation.

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Lucas et al.(2021) examine Sport for Development programs for Indigenous Australians. This research emphasizes the importance of integrating Indigenous perspectives into policy and practice. Many programs rely on optimistic approaches, which ignore the cultural knowledge, values, and lived experiences of First Peoples. It emphasizes the need for a shift from evidence production to a broader discussion. This broader discussion includes how research can contribute to decolonizing policy and practice through privileging Indigenous knowledge and experiences. This approach aligns with integrating First Peoples' perspectives into sports initiatives.

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The report identifies key principles for successful sport and recreation programs in Indigenous communities. Effective programs are culturally relevant, community-driven, and integrated with local traditions. They highlight the importance of understanding the cultural context and involving community members in program design and delivery. For Swimming Australia, these principles suggest that incorporating cultural elements and engaging First Nations communities in program development can enhance participation and outcomes. Programs that respect and reflect cultural values are more likely to be successful and sustainable.

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

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What we know

There is some evidence, in the form of critical descriptions of programs and systematic reviews, on the benefits to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities from participation in sport and recreational programs. These include some improvements in school retention, attitudes towards learning, social and cognitive skills, physical and mental health and wellbeing; increased social inclusion and cohesion; increased validation of and connection to culture; and crime reduction.

Although the effects of sports and recreation programs can be powerful and transformative, these effects tend to be indirect. For example, using these programs to reduce juvenile antisocial behaviour largely work through diversion, providing alternative safe opportunities to risk taking, maintenance of social status, as well as opportunities to build healthy relationships with Elders and links with culture.

Although Indigenous Australians have lower rates of participation in sport than non-Indigenous people, surveys suggest that around one-third of Indigenous people participate in some sporting activity (ABS 2010). That makes sports a potentially powerful vehicle for encouraging Indigenous communities to look at challenging personal and community issues.

Within Indigenous communities, a strong component of sport and recreation is the link with traditional culture. Cultural activities such as hunting are generally more accepted as a form of sport and recreation than traditional dance. Therefore sport and recreation are integral in understanding 'culture' within Indigenous communities, as well as highlighting the culture within which sport and recreation operate.

What works

There are a range of benefits pertaining to participation in sports and recreation activities. In the absence of evaluation evidence, below is a list of principles of 'what works' and 'what doesn't work' to assist with sport and recreation program implementation.

Providing a quality program experience heightens engagement in the sports or recreational activity.

Where no activity has been previously made available, offering some type of sport or recreation program to fill that void should be given priority over making selective decisions about which program to carry out.

Linking sports and recreation programs with other services and opportunities (for example, health services or counselling; jobs or more relevant educational programs) improves the uptake of these allied services. This assists in developing links to other important programs for improving health and wellbeing outcomes, or behavioural change.

For sporting programs, providing long-term sustained, regular contact between experienced sportspeople and participants allows time to consolidate new skills and benefits that flow from involvement in the program.

Promoting a program rather than a desired outcome improves the uptake of activities-for example, a physical fitness program is more likely to be well used if promoted as games or sports rather than a get-fit campaign.

Involving the community in the planning and implementation of programs promotes cultural appropriateness, engagement and sustainability.

Keeping participants' costs to a minimum ensures broad access to programs.

Scheduling activities at appropriate times enhances engagement-for example, for young people, after school, weekends and during school holidays, when they are most likely to have large amounts of unsupervised free time.

Facilitating successful and positive risk taking provides an alternative to inappropriate risks.

Creating a safe place through sports or recreation activities, where trust has been built, allows for community members to work through challenges and potential community and personal change without fear of retribution or being stigmatised.

Ensuring stable funding and staffing is crucial to developing sustainable programs.

What doesn't work

Some sports activities can contribute to exclusion on the basis of race, class or gender, for example football tends to exclude females, so adjunct programs need to be run, or more inclusive activities selected.

Expecting too much from a program (for example, having an expectation that a sports program will eliminate substance abuse or antisocial behaviour). Programs need to be linked to other services and programs to maximise positive outcomes.

Expensive activities, or those that do not engender broad community interest, can increase social exclusion.

Promoting the wrong focus-for example, badging a program as a health program rather than a games program-reduces its attractiveness to young people.

Programs that are not developed in conjunction with the target community are less likely to have buy-in.

What we don't know

Many of the positive effects of participating in sports or recreational activities are indirect and long term, generally making it not feasible to categorically state causal links between programs and specific outcomes. Therefore, it is important that policymakers and researchers continue to refine indirect measures, as well as building a body of documented and evaluated programs that demonstrate effectiveness through these indirect measures. Solid program logic (that is, the logic or reasoning upon which the program is based) may assist with this.

There is very limited literature on ways to address gender, financial and other barriers to participation in sports and recreation programs.

Although the non-Indigenous literature on elite sports notes some problems with drug abuse among athletes, it is not clear in Indigenous-specific literature whether this is a problem, and if so, how it could be managed.

The literature reviewed here does not discuss which types of programs are better suited to specific geographic locations (such as remote regions), ages or genders. Studies exploring these issues could make a valuable contribution to understanding where to target specific types of programs.

Longitudinal studies of program outcomes would help to capture and assess the magnitude of those benefits of sports and recreation programs that appear to take longer to emerge than the average program funding cycle would allow.

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Supporting healthy communities through sports and recreation programs, Summary

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Healthy communities are communities in which people have the physical and mental health and wellbeing needed to conduct their daily lives. The purpose of this paper is to review the available...

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The Australian Sports Commission (2018) report identifies several factors that have influence to Indigenous Australians' participation in sports. Culturally appropriate programs, community involvement, and accessible facilities have key roles. Barriers such as racism, lack of role models, and financial constraints are also highlighted. For Swimming Australia, addressing these factors by developing culturally sensitive programs and providing support structures can improve engagement and retention. Collaborating with Indigenous communities to co-design programs ensures that they meet specific needs and preferences, leading to more effective outcomes.