RAISING THE BAR TO GIVE FIRST NATIONS TEENS A BRIGHT FUTURE

Indigenous high school students from remote areas travelled down to Perth for the first Raise the Bar camp of the year, giving them a vital opportunity to make connections and access elite level facilities and training.

Students began the camp by meeting at Dandjoo Darbalung at St. Katherines College, also known as the Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Excellence. The Dandjoo Darbalung program provides crucial community and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Perth, allowing them to be successful during their studies at university and Tafe.

Taking part in a Yarning Circle with Dandjoo Darbalung students, the group shared their experiences and discussed how the program has helped them succeed.

Over the course of the camp students were given the chance to train at WA Athletics Stadium, receiving professional coaching and trying out events including sprints, hurdles, javelin, and long jump.

In addition to the training opportunities, the students toured the training and recovery facilities at the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), giving them a look into how WA’s elite athletes prepare to compete on the world stage. The tour allowed a chance for students to test equipment which is used to monitor performance and aid in recovery post training.

Focusing on providing development opportunities off and on the track, the students also participated in a Rio Tinto Hub Day, hearing from current Australian Discus record holder Dani Stevens about her journey to become the youngest ever female Discus World Champion.

The Rio Tinto Hub Day also presented the chance for students to hear from several of Rio Tinto’s Indigenous workers, who spoke about how they began working in the mining sector and how they have found success at their respective positions.

Students wrapped up the five-day camp with a to visit Boorla Bardjp and toured the Berndt Museum of Anthropology at the University of Western Australia, which currently holds one of the most significant collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural material in the world.

Athletics Australia and Athletics West recognize the cultural and social barriers that Indigenous Students face when moving from remote or regional areas to Perth, especially being so far from Country and family. Raise the Bar Camps aims to help provide support for young First Nations people and assist by establishing connections for rural athletes in capital cities to help provide support to engage in the Athletics High Performance pathway. 

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For more information about how you can get involved in athletics, contact Athletics West on 08 6272 0480.

By Dylan Gane, Athletics West

Posted 26 July 2023