Sharing a yarn brings athletes together

“There’s no substitute for having a yarn, a meal together and connecting”

Those are the words of proud Wadawurrung man Jamie McPherson, from the Victorian Institute of Sport.

Jamie is one of several Connection to Country Officers now embedded across Australia’s State and Territory sport institutes and academies through the Win Well Strategy’s Our Connection to Country Action Plan.

Each officer plays a vital role in strengthening relationships, embedding cultural education, and creating pathways for First Nations athletes, coaches and staff to thrive.

Along with Jamie, officers from Queensland Academy of Sport and Tasmanian Institute of Sport came together at the Australian Institute of Sport for the Share a Yarn Cultural Connection Camp.

“Programs like Share a Yarn give the opportunity to connect with others in high performance; to come together, understand what each one’s gone through, and know that there’s someone else you can call up or have a yarn with at any time,” Jamie said.

Tay-Leiha Clark reflected on a camp, which bought together First Nations athletes and mentors from the AIS Share a Yarn program.

“A safe space for everybody to come and really connect and get to know each other and support our careers and what we’re striving towards,” she said.

The AIS Share a Yarn program has been running for five years and supports young First Nations athletes by connecting them with mentors and mob throughout their sporting careers.

For sprinter Calab Law, the camp is a reminder of the power of being surrounded by fellow First Nations athletes and the pride that comes with representing his culture in competition.

“I’ve learnt that surrounding yourself with the people that make you feel comfortable and support you, just like in Share a Yarn, is super important,” Calab said.