Netball Queensland takes next step on Reconciliation journey

Netball Queensland has officially submitted its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) as it continues its commitment to reconciliation and improving cultural knowledge and awareness.

The Reflect RAP was sent to Reconciliation Australia by Netball Queensland this week as all staff gathered for a launch lunch called ‘Wraps for RAP’ to celebrate the special milestone.

Netball Queensland Chief Executive Catherine Clark, said she was proud to stand among her staff as the organisation submitted the Reconciliation Action Plan.

Speaking of Netball Queensland’s vision to become a world-leading sports organisation that transforms lives through netball, Clark advised “I am excited to see the actions in our first RAP become an integral part of who we are and how we operate our sport, our club and our venue so that we may contribute to reconciliation in Australia.

“This RAP will touch every part of our business and will be woven into our organisational culture.

“The RAP will be a powerful and formalized commitment which builds on our existing programs and initiatives.”

Netball Queensland’s RAP was developed through the leadership of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Advisory Committee and RAP Working Group.

Chair of the Advisory Committee, Craig Williams, said he was pleased to see Netball Queensland walking the walk on its reconciliation journey, noting “(the RAP) is merely words on paper, it takes commitment and drive from the head of an organisation and the people that they lead to bring it to life.

“And over the last year this is what I have witnessed working with Netball Queensland together with the advisory committee and staff.”

Williams spoke of there being five dimensions to a RAP, which were - historical acceptance, race relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity, and unity, adding “these five dimensions do not exist in isolation but are interrelated.

“I truly believe that this is what Netball Queensland want to achieve by starting this journey.”

RAP Advisor, Grace Sarra, echoed the views of Williams and said it was imperative that Netball Queensland be transparent and accountable during this process.

Sarra said through doing this and having committed to submitting the RAP showed that Netball Queensland genuinely cared about the work it was doing.

Sarra went on to say “Netball Queensland is not afraid to commit to our RAP journey and we are ready to meaningfully engage with our communities to unite our sport.

“Our RAP builds upon our belief that our sport is stronger when we are united and is an important tool to ensure we can identify and remove the barriers which prevent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from achieving success in netball.

“Netball Queensland lives and breathes diversity and inclusion.”

Image (from left): Netball Queensland RAP Advisor Grace Sarra, Netball Queensland Chief Executive Catherine Clark, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Advisory Committee chair Craig Williams and Queensland Firebird Jemma Mi Mi.