Netball Queensland makes appointment to Reconciliation Action Plan Advisor role

Netball Queensland has announced the appointment of Grace Sarra into the newly created role of Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Advisor.

Sarra, a proud Gooreng Gooreng and Taribelang woman whose Aboriginal ancestors dwell in the Bundaberg area, has already had a strong influence in her short time in the role - also working with the Queensland Firebirds.

Coming from a family of educators, the 21-year-old has an immense passion for education and the vital role it plays in Reconciliation.

Looking forward to her new role she explained “I am extremely excited and humbled to be appointed in this position, as I recognise the importance and responsibility which this role has in the community.

“The reason why I applied for this role was so that I can walk in the footsteps of my ancestors and continue to educate the people around me to build more trusting and compassionate relationships between First Nations and non-First Nations people.”

Sarra said she saw the RAP Advisor role as one that influences and drives change authentically, helping to continue fostering an environment which First Nations people feel they belong.

Advising that she said she was excited to work with the outstanding team at Netball Queensland to create and implement a powerful RAP that holds everyone accountable and highlights genuine commitment for better relationships and opportunities for First Nations people, Sarra went on to say “the development of a RAP is imperative to our ongoing cultural journey of respecting and celebrating First Nations peoples’ contributions to netball.

“The creation of this RAP and my role is a demonstration of Netball Queensland’s continuous support of the Declaration of Commitment.

 “Having a role fulfilled by a First Nations person which is solely for guiding the RAP process allows for Netball Queensland to be guided by authentic cultural guidance and solidifies the value which NQ recognises in First Nations people.”

 This is not the first time Sarra has taken on an influential role like this, with her also being the First Nations Student Support Officer at Lourdes Hill College.

 Lee Wilson, Manager Diamond Spirit Diversity and Inclusion, identified Sarra’s appointment as “pivotal for Netball Queensland and our ongoing cultural journey”, noting “the RAP provides a roadmap for Netball to ensure accountability and ongoing commitment to First Nations people.

“This was the first recommendation from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory committee which was approved by our CEO Catherine Clark and board, really highlighting our commitment at all levels of Netball.”

Under advice from Netball Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee, Sarra will play an integral role in developing our RAP and guiding Netball Queensland and the Queensland Firebirds to implement our RAP in 2021 and beyond.

Image: Craig Williams Chair Netball Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Advisory Committee with newly appointed RAP Advisor Grace Sarra.