Identity and Community

Connecting Through Sport

The connection with family and community is of large importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their culture, where sport and physical activity can play a role in strengthening individual identity and bringing together the community. This has been made evident in inquiries to the government, where a 2013 report to the national parliament highlighted the important of "kin and clan" to Aboriginal youth in the context of improving wellbeing and educational outcomes and the vital role which sport plays in this.

Sport gives First Nation peoples the opportunity to grow and find a deep sense of identity. It gives them the opportunity to find something they enjoy, have a sense of pride and joy in themselves, challenge themselves, and learn life skills such as resilience, communication, leadership and develop a strong work ethic.

Sporting clubs and events are also crucial in bringing together communities and has been acknowledged as one of the most important benefits from a social aspect in sport. Especially in rural communities, where playing a sport creates social interaction, a sense of place and community which is not only for players but for other people involved such as coaches, managers and administration. Sport can bring communities up and together in times of hardship.

"It is always such a positive way to connect with other people from different cultures & backgrounds - especially other First Nation people because sport is such a big part of so many of our mobs lives"

Bella Searle, Wiradjuri woman

Culture in Sport

Participating in cultural sports or physical activity such as traditional dancing, or hunting also makes connecting with community and discovering identity a lot easier. For First Nations people, it can feel less like physical activity or sport and more about feeling connected to themselves and Country. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are a lot more likely to participate in sport when they know they will be accepted by the people around them.

It has also been found that feelings towards participating in physical activity or sport are connected with family and community. For First Nations people, it is more socially acceptable to participate when done alongside the company of family and community, where feelings of shame and guilt are often experienced when participating in physical activity for personal or individual benefit. These findings show how sport and community have an overlapping relationship which must be considered and that physical activity and sport programs must be developed with these relationships in mind.

Not only is community, identity and culture a benefit of playing sport, but it also one of the key motivators which encourage First Nation peoples to participate and start playing a sport, specifically tradition Indigenous games (TIG). These games provide a way to reconnect with culture and become involdved with physical activity that they can relate to and is important to a sense of identity and culture. Even though these games may now take on a different form to how it did pre colonisation, it has allowed cultural connection to their history, language and original intention of the game. Participating in culturally relevant sport also gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the opportunity to be with other people in their community while playing.

Events and Carnivals

VACSAL Senior Football and Netball Carnival

National Indigenous Touch Football Carnival

Queensland Murri Carnival

Nicky Winmar Carnival

IMF RAW

These are some of the many events and carnivals that have been vital in creating a stronger sport community among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Often times, these events are not only about the sporting achievements, but about helping to bring the community and their culture together to connect over shared identity, especially being able to have a community who they can relate to and have a shared understanding of certain experiences. For example, Bella Searle, a Wiradjuri woman who plays a variety of sports such as touch football, oztag and rugby league, shared her experiences in participating in the annual National Indigenous Touch Football carnival. For her, these events are important because she has been able to meet so many other First Nation peoples who have become like family. It is events like these which help her community come together, feel connection, belonging and a real sense of community and support.

Impact

Sport and sport events plays a key role in strengthening community identity by bringing people together through shared goals, pride, and cultural connection. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, it can be a powerful motivator for unity and celebration of culture. Local teams and sporting events create a sense of belonging and give communities something to rally around and be proud of. It also provides role models and leadership opportunities that inspire the next generation. Overall, sport helps build stronger, more connected communities with a clear sense of identity and purpose.