Research has found that some activities which are popular amongst Aboriginal people include running, rugby, swimming, AFL, netball, basketball and soccer (After the Siren, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre). The opportunity available to all sport organisations in Victoria is to expand this list and increase the participation rates of Aboriginal people in all forms of sport and active recreation. This is important because sporting participation is about more than on-field activities – it contributes to healthier, happier and more connected communities.
When you are planning to work with Aboriginal people it is important to consider program sustainability. The benefits of strong relationships cannot be underestimated – the relationships you form with local communities and organisations will continue to provide mutually beneficial outcomes, provided they are founded on mutual respect and common goals.
Consider the fact that community perceptions may be different from your own. While you may consider your sport, or your organisation as welcoming to everyone, the perception outside your organisation may be different. If you can connect with Aboriginal people through communities, elders and local organisations and ensure they’re aware of the opportunities you are providing, you will have taken the first step in being more inclusive of Aboriginal people.
The State Sport Association Participation Program evaluation found that in 2003physical inactivity was the fourth leading cause of burden of disease in Australia, and the burden of physical inactivity is higher amongAboriginal people.
The information, advice and resources contained on this page have been developed by Vicsport, using the independent evaluation of the VicHealth State Sport Association Participation Program, and through consultation with VicHealth, Sport and Recreation Victoria, Netball Victoria, Cricket Australia, Surfing Victoria, Canoeing Victoria, and Gippsport.
Share your stories!
If your organisation has a story to share about participation in your sport by Aboriginal people, please feel free to contact Vicsport. We would be happy to provide links to case studies or videos on this page.
As a sport organisation wanting to increase participation by Aboriginal people, you don’t need to re-invent the wheel as you think about your approach. The following tips and suggested strategies are based on learnings from the State Sport Association Participation Program evaluation and consultation by Vicsport and VicHealth.
Community is the driver
Consultation by VicHealth found that Aboriginal communities must be at the center of any initiative or program that seeks to boost participation by Aboriginal people. Each community is different, and each will have their own unique perspective on what works and what is appropriate. These insights should be at the core of your program design. In addition, building trust has frequently been reported as a crucial element to building participation. This means when you provide a participation opportunity you need to commit over a period of time, even if numbers remain very low at the beginning. By maintaining a consistent presence, people are more likely to trust that you are committed to providing the opportunities for a sustained period.
An example of a State Sport Association which has successfully engaged Aboriginal people is Surfing Victoria. Check out this great video about their surfing programs:
You may also train local Aboriginal leaders to conduct your sport’s activities. During the State Sport Association Participation Program, Canoeing Victoria trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, resulting in locally based qualified trainers to deliver canoeing activities. This provided benefits including increasing participation and reducing the number of hours required by Canoeing Victoria staff to deliver programs.
Make Sport Fun
Feedback from sport organisations working with Aboriginal people , and surveys such as theAusPlaynational participation survey, have highlighted that a key driver for people to get involved in sport is the social connections and friendships they make, and the joy of participating together. The power of a fun environment should never be underestimated.
Part of making sport fun is having coaches who know how to adapt and modify programs. The Australian Sport Commission has information to support coaches to be inclusivehere.
Program development Tips
Vicsport has consulted with Victorian sport organisations who are already working with Aboriginal people and developed the following list of suggestions to make programs appealing:
Offering fun, social and recreational formats of your sport
Ensure programs are physically accessible
Make programs, competitions and memberships are affordable
Be flexible with your competition or program days and start times
Conduct come & try days to allow people to experience your sport
Create a point of difference in your sport. For example, Cricket Australia organise the National Indigenous Cricket Championships, and Surfing Australia organise the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles. These events create unique pathway for Aboriginal people to engage with.
Carnivals
Several sports, including AFL, netball and basketball, have delivered state-wide carnivals open to Aboriginal people. Carnivals involve a mix of individual and team activities held over a day, and generally involve families and other community members. Carnivals continue to play a vital role in the sporting lives of Aboriginal people because they bring the whole community together. These events have been successful given their capacity to incorporate young and old, transcending sport through culture and music. While carnivals are not the only key to sustained and year round participation, they are a great way to engage lots of people in your sport.
Partnership Case Study: Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited Statewide (VACSAL) Football and Netball Carnival.
Netball Victoria and AFL Victoria partner with VACSAL to deliver the state wide junior carnival which attracted over 700 participants in 2017.
Indigenous rounds
A common approach by local sporting clubs and associations is to host an Indigenous Round. Hosting an Indigenous Round can help to promote respect and community harmony, as well as showcasing the sporting talents of the local community. Gippsport runs a program called Deadly Sport, and they have developed aresource to support clubs to conduct their own Indigenous Round.
Partnership Case Study:Churchill Football Netball Club Indigenous Round
The Churchill Football Netball Club partnered with the local Regional Sports Assembly – Gippsport – to deliver an indigenous round in 2017.
Pathways
To ensure participation is sustainable, sport organisations should consider how pathways for Aboriginal people can support both ongoing community participation and elite success. The AFL and the AFL Players Association have been leaders in this area, and developed a resource called Many Stories, One Goal: Supporting Indigenous Footballers.
A commonly recognised method of working with Aboriginal people is to form partnerships with the community organisations which are imbedded within local communities. This method, referred to as ‘community-based practice’, has been the key to success for sport organisations which have successfully engaged Aboriginal people in sport. This is because community organisations play an important role in the lives of the Aboriginal population, meaning these organisations are a key enabler in connecting Aboriginal with services such as programs offered by Victorian sport organisations. The first step to connect with a potential partner organisation is to call them, set up a meeting and assess purpose of the partnership. For more information on setting up effective partnerships you can refer to theVicHealth Partnerships Analysis tool.
The types of organisations you form a partnership with may include (but are not limited to): local Aboriginal co-operatives, community health organisations, Aboriginal sport and recreation bodies, local councils, TAFEs, and community centres.
Who to contact
TheVictorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (VACCHO)is the peak body for the wellbeing ofAboriginal in Victoria. They provide a range of consultation services, information and tools. They can also provide links to local health service organisations and co-operatives across Victoria.
TheVictorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL)is a community based organisation. Their vision is to “empower the Victorian Aboriginal community to achieve social, political and economic equity, whilst maintaining and strengthening identity, culture, pride and social purpose.” VACSAL is involved in organising carnivals and events for Basketball, Football (soccer), Netball and AFL.
Local Aboriginal Networks (LANs)bring Aboriginal people together at the local level to set priorities, develop community plans, improve social cohesion and empower AboriginalVictorians to participate in civic and community life.
Partnership Case Study: Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited Statewide (VACSAL) Football and Netball Carnival.
Netball Victoria and AFL Victoria partner with VACSAL to deliver the state wide carnival which attracted over 700 participants in 2017.
Partnership Case Study:Churchill Football Netball Club Indigenous Round
The Churchill Football Netball Club partnered with the local Regional Sports Assembly – Gippsport – to deliver an indigenous round in 2017.
VicHealth consultations have identified that sport is central to the fabric of Aboriginal communities. Sporting clubs, facilities and locations have the potential to be safe places for Aboriginal people to fully express their talents and skills. It’s also a place where they can express this on an even playing field with the wider community. In many cases, Aboriginal people join sport clubs because other Aboriginal people are already involved. It helps bridge the gap between not feeling welcome and wanting to join.
Cultural competence in clubs
Cultural competence in an organisation means there are policies, attitudes and behaviours which enable the staff or volunteers to work effectively in cross-cultural situations. VicHealth research has identified that participation would be boosted throughout mainstream clubs if proper cultural competence was practiced, and if there were staff on hand with experience in this area to liaise with Aboriginal people. This means having individuals involved who identify as Aboriginal so that parents know they have someone they can speak to. If that is not an option, your organisation may also consider undertaking cultural awareness training (read below for more information).
Ensure leaders have relevant skills
Sport organisations aiming to increase participation by Aboriginal people should consider how the skills and experiences of board or committee members, staff, coaches and volunteers allow them to have a positive impact within the sport. Ideally, leaders will be representative of the Aboriginal communities or be competent in developing relationships and empathising with the needs of local communities. Either way, there are some great examples of how sport organisations have increased participation, which everyone can learn from.
Cultural awareness training
Every individual has their own experiences, perspectives and beliefs. Making sport more welcoming and inclusive involves understanding other perspectives, and the needs of people of all ages, backgrounds and ability. But you are not expected to already know everything about everyone. Therefore, cultural awareness training is an excellent option for any sport organisation aiming to encourage greater participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Specific training programs do exist, and your organisation is encouraged to consider providing a training session for your staff or volunteers. This is important at both the state association level and at local clubs. Training may help develop:
Knowledge of the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Attitudes and tolerance of diverse cultures
Increased knowledge of different languages and behavior styles from different cultures
Organisations participating in theState Sport Association Participation Program found that organising cross-cultural awareness training was very beneficial in supporting staff to work with Aboriginal communities.
