Policies, programs, and supporting structures

The National Indigenous Sports Foundation, opens in a new tab (NISF) was launched, opens in a new tab in March 2022. It was born out of the National Indigenous Sports Summit held in Melbourne in 2017 where stakeholders from throughout Australia gathered to confirm the need for an advocacy body that would take forward the important views and issues essential for the progress of Indigenous sport.

Their vision is that "All Indigenous Australians have access and the opportunity to participate in sport and enjoy the health, social and economic benefits and recognition that should flow."

They have also worked to re-establish the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Sports Awards, opens in a new tab. that had previously last been awarded in 2003. After 20 years, the event resumed in 2023.

Ashleigh Gardner Foundation, opens in a new tab aims to foster a culture of positivity and healthy lifestyles, through sport, education and the arts, with the hope of breeding self belief and confidence at a young age.

They believe by delivering a positive experience at school through providing breakfast, sports kits and unstructured play, it will encourage kids to complete their education long term.

Evonne Goolagong Foundation, opens in a new tab has, since 2005, awarded school scholarships, produced tennis coaches, sports administrators, university scholars, and helped with employment placement.

Through come and try days, state, and national camps targets Indigenous young people aged 12 to 21 years to:

• Use tennis as a vehicle to promote and help provide high quality education and teach better health through diet and exercise.
• Increase the number of young Indigenous people playing tennis both competitively and socially
• Support young Indigenous people who have the potential to play at the elite level and make a career in tennis either as a player, coach or administrator.
• Develop in all young people who come through the camps the ability to lead, plan and organise so they can contribute these skills in their own Communities when they return as well as work effectively with non-Indigenous individuals and organisations.

Rumbalara Football Netball Club, opens in a new tab (Rumbalara FNC) is an Aboriginal community led sporting club in Shepparton, Victoria. Their vision is to be nationally recognised as the leading Aboriginal Sporting club for its success on and off the field and court, strong cultural identity, expression and celebration, and contribution to equal life opportunities for all Australians.

RFNC’s emphasis on family, education, and community results in better employment outcomes, fewer health challenges, and strong families via the implementation of a range of specialised and culturally-appropriate programs and services.

Rumbalara FNC has created an environment where First Nations people, especially youth, are inspired and encouraged to actively participate in sports, as well as providing an opportunity to participate in a range of specialised programs, opens in a new tab, including:

• Academy of Sport, Health and Education (ASHE), opens in a new tab. In 2004 the Rumbalara Football Netball Club (RFNC) in partnership with the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences established The Academy of Sport Health and Education (ASHE). ASHE uses participation in sport to undertake education and training within a trusted, culturally appropriate environment, particularly for Indigenous students.
• Nanyak Burras Mentoring program, opens in a new tab aims to bring inspiration and aspiration to young First Nations youth who are either playing at the Rumbalara Football Netball Club or engaged in Club programs. The program brings together young people between the ages of 14-19 to co-design their own leadership program with mentors.

Garnduwa Amboorny Wirnan Aboriginal Corporation, opens in a new tab work toward supporting townships and Aboriginal communities throughout the Kimberley. Their focus areas are health and wellbeing, education, employment, and capacity building. Our vehicles for change are sport and culture. Programs include:

• Kimberley Active Communities. Building the capacity of Kimberley communities to implement and deliver sustainable and self-sufficient sport and recreation programs.
• Active Leaders. Encouraging Kimberley youth to further enhance their natural talents and realise their potential as strong community organisers and persons of influence.
• Kimberley Spirit. The Kimberley Region’s recognised football talent pathway for young aspiring athletes. Prioritising on and off-field development and education.
• Making Her Mark. Exploring the barriers and facilitators of participation in sport for Women in Kimberley communities.

Reconciliation Australia, opens in a new tab was established in 2001 and is the lead body for reconciliation in the nation. They are an independent not-for-profit organisation which promotes and facilitates reconciliation by building relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. One of the main areas of focus is working with organisations to develop Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPS).

• RAP good practice guide: Demonstrating inclusive and respectful language, opens in a new tab, Reconciliation Australia, (October 2021). Using respectful and inclusive language and terminology is an essential component of reconciliation. The ways we speak about reconciliation are just as important as the ways we act: language is itself active, and can impact on attitudes, understandings and relationships in a very real and active sense. While they are guidelines only, below are some recommendations for using respectful and inclusive language and terminology throughout your RAP and other communications.
• Reconciliation Action Plans, opens in a new tab. Since 2006, Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation. Based around the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination.
  • Who has a RAP?, opens in a new tab Search using filters (including 'industry: sport) for organisations with current RAPS.

The Australian Sporting Network Joint Reconciliation Statement is a joint commitment from the ASC, Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, Commonwealth Games Australia, and all seven State and Territory Sport Institutes and Academies, first announced in 2021 and renewed annually.

Each year builds on the shared commitments made in 2021 and supports the vision of Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Win Well Strategy to forge meaningful connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, histories, communities and cultures.

In 2024, the system released the Connection to Country Action Plan. Developed by the 'Win Well Strategy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group', the Action Plan provides practical guidance for high performance organisations to establish programs to enhance their Connection to Country.

"Our vision is a high performance system that actively includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, and histories. Through storytelling, cultural awareness, integrity, and accountability, we aim to elevate their voices in sport. We commit to annual progress reviews to ensure meaningful and lasting reconciliation."

In May 2015 members at the AOC Annual General Meeting unanimously voted to amend the AOC Constitution to recognise Australia’s first people. Following consultation with the AOC’s Indigenous Advisory Committee the wording was updated again in 2024.

• "Constitutional Changes, opens in a new tab", (5 May 2024). Further celebrating and strengthening the AOC’s commitment to Indigenous reconciliation through sport, the Annual General Meeting also voted to amend the AOC’s Constitution, in particular, a small but significant change to Clause 6.6.
• AOC changes constitution to recognise indigenous heritage, opens in a new tab, (21 May 2015). Members at the Australian Olympic Committee Annual General Meeting in Sydney have unanimously voted to amend the Constitution to recognise the nation’s first people.
• Indigenous heritage recognised in AOC Constitution, opens in a new tab, (9 November 2014). The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has changed its constitution to recognise indigenous heritage.

Clause 6.6 reads: "To recognise and value the heritage, culture and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Australia and the Olympic Movement, and to promote and give practical support to the journey of reconciliation through sport."

Additionally, the wording of the Team values—developed by the AOC Athletes’ Commission—were also amended, specifically the RESPECT value: "RESPECT - I respect sport, the efforts of my competitors, my team mates and officials. I respect Australia and its Indigenous heritage. I respect our nation’s past and the spirit of Olympism."

In 2021, the Constitution was further amended, opens in a new tab to require at least one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representative on the AOC Athletes' Commission.

Indigenous Australian Olympians, opens in a new tab, Australian Olympic Committee, (accessed 13 August 2025). Australia has been represented by 59 Indigenous athletes at the Summer Olympic Games and by one Indigenous athlete at the Winter Olympic Games.

Australian Olympic Indigenous Coaching Scholarship, opens in a new tab, (accessed 14 August 2025). The aim of the Australian Olympic Indigenous Coaching Scholarship (AOICS) program is to provide high-level professional development, education, and formal training to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Olympic sports coaches.

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

• Australian Olympic Committee - Reconciliation Action Plan June 2023 - June 2025, opens in a new tab [Innovate]

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Team Members History, opens in a new tab, Commonwealth Games Australia, (accessed 13 August 2025). It was in 1962 that we first saw Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes compete at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games on home soil in Perth. Eddie Barney, Adrian Blair and Jeff Dynevor represented Australia in boxing and Percy Hobson in athletics (high jump).
• Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group Established, opens in a new tab, Commonwealth Games Australia, (9 February 2023). The establishment of the RAPAG follows the launch of the RAP in 2022, with the RAPAG to provide CGA with guidance and advice specific to its RAP deliverables and related initiatives across the sphere of reconciliation and areas of a cultural nature.

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

• Commonwealth Games Australia Reconciliation Action Plan May 2025 - May 2027, opens in a new tab [Innovate]

Indigenous PWD & Sport, opens in a new tab, (accessed 13 August 2025). This web-section provides information and resources to help reduce chronic disease and promote health and physical activity awareness and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability.

Indigenous Health Education Program (2018-2020), opens in a new tab. This program featured a collaboration between Paralympics Australia and Outback Academy Australia, (a not-for-profit Aboriginal led organisation with a charter to increase participation of Indigenous Australians with disability across all areas of life, including sports and recreation. Funded by a Department of Health grant the program engaged seven Community Controlled Organisations, and an estimated 273 Indigenous Australians, including people with disability (42), their family members and/or carers, and community members working in the education, health and disability sectors, who contributed to research; the development, review, and evaluation of online information and resources about chronic disease prevention, health, and physical activity awareness to engage Indigenous Australians; and five community engagement events.

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

• Paralympics Australia - Reconciliation Action Plan February 2023-July 2024, opens in a new tab [Reflect]

The Clontarf Foundation, opens in a new tab works to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem, and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so equips them to participate meaningfully in society. Using the existing passion that these boys have for sport allows Clontarf to initially attract them to school, and then keep them coming. It is however, not a sporting programme – it’s about developing the values, skills, and abilities that will assist the boys to transition into meaningful employment and achieve better life outcomes.

Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF), opens in a new tab. Programs promote discipline, healthy living, and social connection among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with a strong focus on leadership development and marathon preparation. Each program is shaped through co-design with our First Nations participants, graduates, run leaders, and partner organisations — grounding our approach in community and drawing strength from lived experience.

• Indigenous Marathon Project, opens in a new tab. Each year, 12 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people between aged between 18-30 are selected to participate in a six-month health, wellbeing, and leadership journey, training for the New York marathon in November. All squad members also complete a Certificate in Indigenous Leadership and Health Promotion; a Level 1 Recreational Running Coach Accreditation through Athletics Australia; CPR and First Aid qualifications; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid; and Media training.
• FrontRunners program, opens in a new tab provides the opportunity for IMP Graduates to access grants to establish running and fitness groups, establish their own business, and/or undertake personal, professional, and career development courses.
• I-CAN program, opens in a new tab works in remote Indigenous primary schools and communities across Australia to provide children with access to fun and educational health and fitness programs that encourages school attendance and address childhood obesity and inactivity.
• IMF RAW , opens in a new tabwas established in 2011 driven by IMP Graduates and Community Members, The program addresses chronic disease by normalising running and walking within Indigenous communities and provides a free, inclusive and safe environment for individuals to flourish and feel supported.
• IMF Warrior Projec, opens in a new tabt establishes running events and groups within prisons and detention centres to inspire a lifelong commitment to health and wellbeing while building self-discipline, social connection, career pathways, and pride.

• Nations of Origin, opens in a new tab. PCYC NSW’s Nations of Origin is a community-driven four day long sporting tournament that unites First Nations and non-First Nations young people to celebrate culture through sports, with strong endorsement and support from Elders. The program focuses on Reconciliation, Education, Cultural Identity, and Sport. Participants must maintain at least 80% school attendance, ensuring a commitment to education, while fostering personal growth and a deeper connection to their cultural heritage. Sports include rugby league, netball, basketball, and gymnastics.

Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI), opens in a new tab. A centre of cultural strength and learning for Indigenous youth within the Richmond Football Club. Established in 2011 they offer leadership and sport programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in any sport.