Vicsport acknowledges the Traditional Owners of all lands on which we do business and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. We acknowledge the important contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples make in creating a strong and vibrant Australian society.
This page has been developed by Vicsport in partnership with the Victorian State Government to provide you with practical information and resources in understanding the important role sport plays in creating safe and welcoming environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait People.
RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
Vicsport is proud to present our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Our vision for reconciliation is to acknowledge, respect, honour and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and inclusion and to influence the sporting community in Victoria in reconciliation. Encouraging and promoting diversity is at the core of Vicsport's work and Vicsport aims to be the sports leader in reconciliation in Victoria. We will provide leadership and guidance to the Victorian sport and recreation community on reconciliation and inclusion.
We hope that, as the peak body for sport in Victoria has produced a RAP, this will encourage state sporting organisations to produce a RAP for their sport.
The Vicsport RAP is available to view and download here.
RAP AND FIRST NATIONS POLICY DEVELOPMENT
As part of Sport and Recreation Victoria's (SRV) TMA funding requirements in the lead-up to June 2027, all funded organisations are required to have implemeneted a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) or First Nations Policy (FNP).
Large and medium sized organisations (as determined by SRV) are required to have a RAP while small organisations (as determined by SRV) are required to have developed a FNP.
To support these processes, Vicsport engaged Karabena Consulting to deliver a series of six sessions between February - April 2026. Professor Kerry Arabena provided expert guidance, practical resources and hands-on support to help organisations meet the requirements.
Reacquaint yourself with those resources and session recordings below.
RAP DEVELOPMENT SERIES
| Session 1 - 17 February (online) |
Session 2 - 17 March (online) |
Session 3 - 9 April (online) |
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FIRST NATIONS POLICY DEVELOPMENT SERIES
| Session 1 - 24 February (in-person) |
Session 2 - 18 March (online) |
Session 3 - 16 April (online) |
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ASSISTANCE
Contact Vicsport via admin@vicsport.com.au if you have any questions and those queries can be passed on to Sport & Recreation Victoria if required. Additionally, the services below can be engaged and utilised by your organisation.
- Karabena Consulting: A 100% Indigenous-owned consulting firm that offers end-to-end services with the goal of improving societal, economic, early life and environmental outcomes by valuing, celebrating, and embracing the culture and contribution of First Nations peoples.
- Kinaway: An established charity with the purpose of advancing Victorian Aboriginal businesses to actively participate and excel in both national and international economies, Kinaway's focus is on changing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s lives through a strength-based model of business ownership and participation in the Victorian economy.
- Reconciliation Australia: The lead body for reconciliation in the nation, Reconciliation Australia promotes and facilitates the building of relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
For additional Cultural Safety resources, find them via the Inclusive and Gender Equity Action Plan on this page.
RESOURCES
Racism in Sport Quick PDF Guides:
INDIGENOUS ROUND
For clubs looking to create an Indigenous Round within their league, see below a sample information kit from Deadly Gippsland. This information kit illustrates how to set up a "Dreamtime Round", ideas on how to promote and market the event, and how to get other clubs on board.
For more information about Deadly Gippsland click here.
DOWNLOAD: Gippsland Indigenous Round - Information and Resource Kit
PETER NORMAN - I'll Stand With You
L-R: Peter Norman standing alongside athletes John Carlos and Tommie Smith at the 200m medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.
WATCH: Peter Norman was a man who stood up for human rights at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. A story that captured the world's attention of how a 24 year-old man from Melbourne made the courageous choice to stand alongside two Americans by wearing a badge of the Olympic Project for Human Rights in support of fellow athletes John Carlos and Tommie Smith. The video below showcases the story of Peter Norman in full and how racism has no place in today's society.