AUSTRALIAN ATHLETES SET FOR THE OUTBACK

Partnering with the Australian Institute of Sport, Australian Athletes and Garnduwa, Athletics West is set to engage the WA’s North West Aboriginal, CaLD and regional communities as part of the North West Athletics Championships.

Athletics West will work with the AIS’s Share a Yarn initiative and Share a Yarn Ambassador Brad Scott to deliver the 2021 North West Athletics Championships’ community events.

“As an AIS Share a Yarn ambassador, Brad is a role model within the community, that can demonstrate cultural understanding and inclusivity to help prevent racial divisions in sport. The opportunity to visit communities and grassroots sports allows for Brad to connect with communities firsthand to learn and share.” AIS’s Community Engagement Advisor Rhian Bird said.

The Share a Yarn initiative aims to provide Australian Athletes with meaningful opportunities to connect and build relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, for mutual sharing and learning.

Looking to use his experience as an Australian athlete, three-time Paralympian Brad Scott said he was excited to head to WA’s North West and “meet people who love to run, jump or throw.”

“I’m looking forward to experiencing how the community in Broome connect and celebrate together through sport. Sport can be the place where everyone has the opportunity to have a sense of belonging [and] purpose in the community.” Said Scott.

The North West Athletics Championship community events are a part of Athletics West’s ongoing Aboriginal and CaLD program and will be delivered with community partner Garnduwa. Scott will work alongside Australian World Athletics U20 Championship Team Members Taylah Cruttenden and Mia Gordon to engage WA’s North West Aboriginal community.

“Unfortunately, in sport, as in life, there are a number of unnecessary and unwanted barriers that make it difficult for people in our indigenous communities to participate in sport. We can all play a role in providing and improving opportunities.” Added Scott.

“I’m thankful to be working with Athletics West and the AIS to create an experience to encourage athletics participation in the indigenous communities in [WA’s North West]. Everyone should get the chance to be the best they can be.”

The 2021 North West Athletics Championships are set for the 18th to 19th of September at Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre, with community events running from the 13th to 17th of September through the North West area. To find out how you can get involved in the Championships or any of the community activations, head to our Event Page.

For more information about the AIS’s Share A Yarn initiative, head to www.ais.gov.au/share-a-yarn.

For more information, contact Athletics West at admin@athleticswest.com.au or call 08 6272 0480.