The Black Diamonds project – the first of its kind – reviewed the netball service delivery within Western Australia to ensure the policies and systems are transformed to better facilitate the engagement and retention of Aboriginal people to the sport of netball. The review was undertaken between February 2021 and 2022 through a joint initiative between Glass Jar Australia (GJA) and Netball WA (NWA).
The report has highlighted the importance of improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement and retention across all pathways, including athletes, umpires, coaches and administrators.
Through yarning circles, a uniquely Aboriginal research methodology, four key stakeholder groups worked through what the associations are currently doing in this space, what the barriers to participation and engagement are, and what a strategic vision and list of actions to address the barriers would look like. The key stakeholder groups ranged from grassroots participants through to elite players, associations in both metro and regional locations, and support/coaching staff.
The Research Manager for the Black Diamonds report, Dr Rose Whitau, highlighted the importance of the research methodology used.
“The strength of yarning with people with such diverse experiences from across the state is the breadth of solutions that were presented. The research clearly shows where the gaps are – and most importantly, how netball might fix the system.”
One of the key solutions outlined in the report, born from the yarning circles, was the need for development opportunities for players, coaches, and officials. The lack of opportunities, particularly in the regions, does not provide a safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, coaches, or officials to flourish and develop. Another key solution to the issue of discrimination is transparency around selection criteria and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representation within selection panels.
Beyond the solutions, the suggested implementation strategy relies on the governing netball bodies to share the report and lead the way in implementing the solutions to create change.
You can view the completed report here.
