RECONCILIATION IN ACTION - THROUGH THE POWER OF SPORT

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will bring the Olympic spirit to remote communities in the Torres Strait and Cape York during the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The partnership reflects both the AOC and RAAF

Reconciliation Action Plans and a mutual commitment to build long term and ongoing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities.

The tour is part of the AOC’s Olympics Live presented by Westpac, a series of public live sites around Australia for the community to come together to support the Australian Team.  The Queensland sites are proudly supported by the Queensland Government. The RAAF will work with the AOC to bring coverage of the Tokyo Games in live, deliver Olympians and an interactive sport experience to Horn Island and Lockhart River.

The trip is being planned for the 4th to the 6th of August, however the tour will only proceed under the strictest COVID protocols and if a full risk assessment indicates that it is safe to enter regional communities.

The tour will involve a RAAF C-27J Spartan aircraft loaded with equipment and personnel to stage a ‘live site’ in each community.  A large screen will show live Olympic Games action from Tokyo, community basketball games will give everyone a chance to try their skills and sporting equipment will be left as gifts to the community.

Utilising the AOC’s signature program, Olympics Unleashed, presented by Optus, members of the AOC’s Indigenous Advisory Committee, Olympians Danny Morseu (Basketball 1980, 1984), Beki Smith (Race walking 2012) and Brad Hore (Boxing 2000, 2004) will , visit schools and interacting with young people through sports activities and sharing their Olympic experiences. Olympics Unleashed is designed to help children set goals, build resilience, and develop self-confidence. The Queensland Government has supported Olympics Unleashed since its inception, reaching over 110,050 students.

Danny Morseu a proud Torres Strait Islander man from the Kemer Meriam Nation and Mer Language group, talked about how the program aimed to help inspire future Olympians and create a sense of realism to the Olympic dream for children in the region.

“We’re working with the communities to build long-term relationships and inspire young people using the power of sport. We want the children of the Torres Strait to connect with the Olympic dream and strive to produce the best versions of themselves,” said Mr Morseu

“The tour will also offer youth within these communities the opportunity to gain insight into how our athletes achieve success and learn about their ability to set goals, build resilience and critical self-confidence.”

“I’m extremely proud to be deeply involved in this tour and to see the AOC and the RAAF really engaged with communities to inspire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

AOC CEO Matt Carroll welcomed the partnership with RAAF which demonstrates the AOC’s commitment to taking real action to support and improve the lives of First Nations people using the power of sport as a catalyst for change.

“The AOC is committed to engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and through Olympians and the power of sport to provide a positive direction and inspiration to indigenous youth across the nation.”

“We’re excited to bring the Games into some of Australia’s most remote communities and light the spark to ignite the next generation of athletes.”

“This tour will be about bringing people together and connecting remote communities with the Games in a meaningful way.”

“I’d like to thank the RAAF and No. 35 Squadron and Minister Dutton for the support of the Olympic movement and the AOC for their efforts in making this tour possible. We simply couldn’t do it without their resources, commitment and experience.”

The Minister for Defence, the Hon Peter Dutton MP said we are pleased to be able to support this Australian Olympic Committee program.

“The cooperation between the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Olympic Committee shows their commitment to leverage synergies between the two organisations’ Reconciliation Action Plans,” said Minister Dutton.

“C-27J Spartan aircraft from 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, routinely operate in remote airfields throughout Australia’s north, maintaining a connection with local Indigenous communities while conducting training at these austere airfields.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the tour recognised the power of sport to inspire and connect people regardless of where they lived.

“We are a vast State but we are also inclusive, and this initiative celebrates the positive role sport can play in creating opportunity for young Queenslanders,” the Premier said.

“It is inspiring to think that the young athletes of today could be our future Olympians at a potential home games in 2032.

“These Olympic programs not only help to open up elite pathways but also support healthy and active communities.

“Should we successful in being awarded the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games next month there is an opportunity to use the decade long runway to benefit communities all over the State.”