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First Nations Australians

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.

Australia is made up of hundreds of diverse First Nations Australians, each with their own culture, language, beliefs and practices.

Sport is the ultimate cultural community connector and can contribute to reducing the physical and mental health challenges that these communities currently face.

That is why it is important for clubs to implement strategies for the inclusion of First Nations Australians.

Programs and interventions that are forced or imposed without significant consultation, are unlikely to benefit First Nations Australians or the broader community.

Community-led initiatives and healthy, active role models are important first steps, to increase First Nation Australians' participation in sport.

C4S-evidence-first nations-kids holding an Australian Rules football with Adam Goodes

Strategies

  • Develop strategies and policies in partnership with First Nations peoples, rather than for them.
  • Reach out to your local Aboriginal Land Council and develop a formal or informal relationship with the traditional owners relevant to your club.
  • Open club meetings with an Acknowledgement of Country.
  • Open significant club events with an Acknowledgement of Country and where possible a formal Welcome to Country performed by a Traditional Owner.
  • Display visible items such as flags, artwork, Acknowledgement of Country signage prominently around the club.
  • Consider the unique experiences and socio-cultural factors surrounding our First Nations peoples and be respectful and understanding of them. This includes acknowledging the experienced racism, battles for recognition for identity and social acceptance, and cultural and community connections.
  • Make sure that your social events, newsletters, or social media posts are culturally appropriate and welcoming of First Nations peoples. Representation in social media posts matter.
  • Acknowledge and celebrate key First Nations events such as Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week.
  • Ensure you have tried and tested policies and processes to prevent and respond to racism and discrimination. Promote these through coaches, committee members and volunteer, to the whole club at the start of the season, mid-season and again when new people join the club.
  • Ensure policies outline consequences for discrimination, ensuring that casual racist slurs or insults (for example in-jokes) are included as forms of discrimination and will have the same consequences.
  • Have a formal complaints process in place.
  • Ensure you have a committee member or a club-nominated officer with professional or lived experience in place for confidential discussions.
  • Regardless of whether racism or discrimination has occurred in your club ensure you regularly facilitate conversations that allow for reflection and learning about dealing with incidents if and when they occur.
  • Consciously work towards having First Nations people in leadership and mentoring roles at your club as coaches or committee members.
  • Consider creative ways to assist any family at your club that has transport or financial challenges that are preventing participation.

Resources

Best practice examples

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL SPORTING CHANCE ACADEMY (NASCA)

National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA) works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to create a strength-based, culturally strong environment.

To remain successful, NASCA’s mentoring programs involve local community and parents and are long term, respectful, mutually beneficial relationships.

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RUMBALARA FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB

Rumbalara Football Netball Club is an Aboriginal community run sporting club dedicated to strengthening the Shepparton community by bringing families together through strong vibrant leadership.

The club is a place of belonging that people of all ages and backgrounds can call their own.

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JOHN MORIARTY FOOTBALL

John Moriarty Football, named after its co-founder Yanyuwa man John Moriarty AM, the first Aboriginal footballer to be selected to play for Australia, delivers a transformational Indigenous football program for 2-18 year olds. The program uses football (soccer) for talent and positive change and has a track record of improving school attendance and achieving resilient, healthier outcomes for some of Australia’s most remote Indigenous communities.

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THE INDIGENOUS MARATHON FOUNDATION

The Indigenous Marathon Foundation (established in 2009 by world marathon champion Rob de Castella), is a health promotion charity that uses running to celebrate resilience and achievement, creating inspirational Indigenous leaders.

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VICTORIAN INDIGENOUS SURFING PROGRAM

The Victorian Indigenous Surfing Program is one of the longest running Indigenous engagement programs in the country. Launching in 1999, the program uses surfing as a way to connect Indigenous Victorians with the ocean whilst learning new skills, water safety and healthy habits.

Strong Aboriginal community leadership and engagement in culturally safe and engaging environments that are inclusive, respectful and flexible, are the core values of the program.

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AFL NORTHERN TERRITORY: REMOTE PROJECTS

By harnessing the passion for AFL, remote-based football initiatives, delivered by AFL Northern Territory: Remote projects, save extensive and dangerous travel time to access structured and supported sporting environments. Remote based football programs allow people to play their sport of preference on country of significance, without the potential distractions of urban locations.

Football activities involve targeted messaging and specific programs based on advice from community elders, funding bodies and service providers. The remote projects are delivered in a culturally sensitive manner with consideration for local customs, traditions and cultural practices.

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SHARE A YARN

The Share a Yarn initiative provides Australian Elite Athletes with meaningful opportunities to connect and build relationships with First Nations communities, and learn more about the differing cultures, lands, histories, and people within them.

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First Nations Australians Cultural, racial and linguistically diverse communities LGBTIQ+ communities People with disability Intersectionality Women and girls

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