Hockey NSW Launches Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Engagement Program

With hopes of inspiring a future generation of young indigenous players, Hockey NSW is excited to launch our brand new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Program.

The youth-led program will look to develop the knowledge and skills of both new and existing indigenous participants, improve life-long wellbeing and form positive relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, while also delivering a greater sense of belonging.

Hockey NSW staff will also provide training and support to identified individuals in our community, which will allow them to deliver participation and community-based programs for indigenous groups and participants.

Excitingly, current Hockeyroo and NSW Pride player Mariah Williams has signed on as the first ambassador for the program.

A proud Wiradjuri woman from Western NSW, Williams is extremely passionate when it comes to furthering recognition around indigenous culture. This year she was also named as an ambassador for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Share a Yarn program, which helps people learn and share the rich history and stories of the Indigenous Australian community.

Hockey NSW will be looking to recruit further ambassadors from across the State over the coming months to promote the program within their local areas and communities.

In addition to our ambassadors, the program will establish a Youth Advisory Panel that will have young representative from every major region of NSW. Panel members will be given the opportunity to provide input on the way the program will be implemented across NSW, and share their thoughts and recommendations improvements to the program.

The youth advisory group members will develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills via mentoring from the ambassadors, as well as other community members involved in the program.

Hockey NSW will also offer coaching and umpiring education and accreditation opportunities to Indigenous youth, which will allow them to take their skills and experience back into their local areas and help grow participation throughout the State.

In addition to the initiatives above, Hockey NSW will also hold a number of events such as a Community Come and Try, Gala Days, as well as a potential NSW Aboriginal Cup tournament in 2022.

Hockey NSW CEO David Thompson is excited to build on the important work we have been doing in the Diversity & Inclusion space over the past two years.

“Off the back of our successful Multicultural Engagement Program, we are proud to now be able to launch our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Program,” said Thompson.

“We anticipate that this program will not only bring new participants to our sport, but will also support and upskill our existing indigenous members across NSW.

“This initiative has come about thanks to the important foundational work done by our team on the ground over the past few years, especially in the Central West and North Coast regions.

“Our hope is that we can inspire many young indigenous players across NSW to go on and represent their country just like Mariah, Brooke and Nova have proudly done before.”

To find out more about the program or to keep across any upcoming events, please visit our dedicated webpage by clicking here.