Supporting emerging Aboriginal athletes and reclaiming Aboriginal histories through sport

Sport is described as one, if not the most, of significant positive influences upon shaping Indigenous Australian identity in the 20^th Century, set against a time of rapidly shifting attitudes and entitlements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Our researchers explore the socio-cultural dimensions to sport, while simultaneously capturing important and missing Indigenous sporting memories, often retold through the perspectives of Indigenous observers for authenticity and frame of reference.

Sport’s role in normalising and providing an outlet to Indigenous people is discussed on a global, not just a national scale.

Aims include developing coaches and leaders from Indigenous backgrounds, reinforcing notions of survival, pride and identity, while also acknowledging historic tragedy and trauma.

Professor Murray Phillips

Has a range of research interests in the historical and contemporary dimensions of sport. He has written on the historical and contemporary aspects of sport and war, sport and gender, sports' coaching, golf, rugby league, rugby union, sport structures as well as the ontological, epistemological and methodological aspects of sport history.

Associate Professor Gary Osmond

Gary has a range of research interests in the historical and contemporary dimensions of sport. These include Australian and Pacific aquatic sport, racial stereotyping, sport myth, social memory and sporting histories beyond the written word.

Associate Professor Steven Rynne

Steven has worked with UQ HMS and the Australian Sports Commission as a research officer investigating coach learning in the National Coaching Scholarship Program and is currently involved as a research fellow on a Laureus Sport for Good Foundation project being run through the Indigenous Sport Program (Australian Sports Commission).

Meet some of our researchers