Sport Australia and the AIS are teaming up with the Brumbies and University of Canberra to celebrate Indigenous Australians’ sporting heritage for NAIDOC Week.
At a special event at Plus500 Brumbies HQ at the University of Canberra on Tuesday 9 July, participants will take part in both Touch 7s and Buroinjin, a traditional Indigenous ball game throughout the day.
Sport Australia CEO Kate Palmer said the event was a great way to celebrate the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to Australian sport.
“It’s fantastic to promote and enjoy traditional Indigenous games at a community event like this. I’d urge everyone to use Sport Australia’s resource, , which preserves more than 100 traditional Indigenous Australian games and activities. It’s a great way to honour NAIDOC Week and get active at the same time.”
AIS CEO Peter Conde said NAIDOC Week was a great opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in high performance sport and encouraged all Aussies to look to their success for inspiration and pride.
“There has been, and continues to be, some wonderful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes who have represented Australia at the very highest level. From Kevin Coombs, who competed at the very first Paralympic Games in 1960, through to Cathy Freeman at the Sydney 2000 Games, and so many more, we celebrate those achievements and recognise the significance of their contribution to Australian sport.”
Brumbies CEO Phil Thomson said the organisation recognised the unique role that sport plays in removing barriers and creating opportunities for those of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origins.
“We are extremely excited at the chance to participate in NAIDOC Week with these like-minded and prominent organisations in Sport Australia and the AIS, and the University of Canberra.Together we aim to raise awareness, recognise and celebrate the unique role that Indigenous Australians play in the life of this city and region,” he said.
“This event provides a wonderful opportunity for us to engage, through sport, in an enjoyable but meaningful way and more openly connect with our Indigenous communities.
“The day is viewed as a vital part of our reconciliation journey as we aim to develop a deeper understanding and build more positive relationships that engender trust, respect and equality.”University of Canberra Director of Sport, Carrie Graf, said that the event aligns with the University’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and access.
“We are proud to join the Brumbies, Sport Australia and the AIS to continue building connections with local Indigenous communities through the avenue of sport,” Graf said.
“By uniting for a game of Buroinjin, we aim to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture and the indigenous community’s important contributions to our organisations.”
University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Deep Saini praised the organisation’s collaborative approach to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this NAIDOC Week event with the Brumbies, Sport Australia and the AIS, and we welcome everyone to join us at the University of Canberra campus next Tuesday,” he said.
“This event is a fantastic opportunity for people to come together to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, perhaps learn something new, and participate in a fun and social atmosphere. I look forward to seeing some Buroinjin games in action and cheering on our UC players.”
Plus500 Brumbies NAIDOC Event Schedule
Tuesday 9 July 2019
- 12.30pm: Welcome to Country
- 12.35pm: Smoke Ceremony
- 12.45pm: Official Opening
- 12.50pm: Collaborative Hands Workshops begin
- 1pm: Tournament Rounds for Buroinjin & Touch 7’s
- 3.30pm: BBQ sponsored by Sport Australia & AIS
- 4pm: Presentation of Collaborative Hands Paintings and Inaugural Tournament Trophy
- 4.30pm: Event Concludes
