‘Share a Yarn’ to promote cultural understanding in sport

Fourteen athlete ambassadors from Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports have been selected as part of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) 'Share a Yarn' program, connecting athletes with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

2018 Winter Paralympian Jonty O'Callaghan is part of the group which was today announced by the AIS.

Jonty said that an interest in learning more about Indigenous culture was what motivated him to become involved in the Share a Yarn program.

“Growing up we had a lot of textbook education about the First Nations and Indigenous people, but the biggest thing that interested me in the Share a Yarn program was getting a first hand account of Indigenous culture, learning about the customs and traditions through their story telling,” O’Callaghan said.

“It’s also about using our platform through sport to help spread positive messages.

“We haven’t had an Indigenous athlete in the Para Alpine program to date, but it’s all about creating an environment that if we do have an athlete coming through the ranks that they feel comfortable.

“Snow Australia has taken some significant steps through Community Engagement in making everyone feel welcome and comfortable in our sport, and I want to be a part of continuing that work.

“Wearing our Indigenous-themed race suits at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympics was a great start to showing our connection to the history of our country, now we’ve just got to continue that work,” he said.

As part of the program, First Nations and non-Indigenous athletes are chosen as ambassadors to undertake cultural training and activities side-by-side, supporting each other to foster reconciliation and improve cultural competency within their own sports.

AIS Director of People Development and Wellbeing Matti Clements said Share a Yarn was about creating greater inclusivity and understanding, in sport and Australia.

“Understanding different cultures in the community helps athletes to overcome and prevent racial divisions in sport,” Matti says. “Share a Yarn is about encouraging collaborative, respectful and honest communication between participants. It’s about building trust, fostering accountability and providing a safe place to listen and learn. We want these athletes to be role models for cultural understanding and inclusivity within their communities, which will ultimately lead to a greater sporting experience and life experiences for all.”

Share a Yarn athlete ambassadors

Janice Blackman: Softball, Queensland Academy of Sport

Gabrielle Coffey: Netball, Victorian Institute of Sport

Rhydian Cowley: Athletics, Victorian Institute of Sport

Sarah Gigante: Cycling, Victorian Institute of Sport Alumni

Chris McHugh: Beach Volleyball, South Australian Sports Institute

Jonty O'Callaghan: Snow Australia, Victorian Institute of Sport, Paralympics Australia

Amy Ridge: Water polo, NSW Institute of Sport

Renee Rockliff: Hockey, Western Australian Institute of Sport

Caitlin Sargent: Athletics, Queensland Academy of Sport

Brad Scott: Para-Athletics, Western Australian Institute of Sport, Paralympics Australia,

Kyah Simon: Football, NSW Institute of Sport

Mariah Williams: Hockey, NSW Institute of Sport

Michelle Wilson: Karate, South Australian Sports Institute

Alex Winwood: Boxing, Western Australian Institute of Sport