This milestone event underscores NQ's commitment to reconciliation, diversity and inclusion.
The Innovate RAP is the next step in NQ’s reconciliation journey following the release of the Reflect RAP Report last year.
“Our Innovate RAP focuses on developing and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, engaging our staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, and creating innovative strategies to empower these communities,” NQ Chief Executive Officer Kate Davies said.
“This is a crucial step for NQ in making reconciliation a practice, not just an ambition, of the organisation.”
Cummins' artwork, which features prominently in the RAP document, is titled “The Dreams of our Future” and depicts NQ’s cultural journey, highlighting the importance of reflection and the efforts of those who have paved the way to build a culturally safe environment.
“We reflect on the mountains, a story of the challenges we have faced and the obstacles we have overcome,” Cummins said, describing the artwork’s meaning and symbolism.
“From the water comes growth and continuous progress.
“Our tracks always move forward, never backwards. Guided by our values, we forge a path forward, standing strong on the shoulders of giants who have come before us.
“The older generation guide us, helping us to see the stars that are our dreams of our future. Surrounded by the connection and support of community, we focus on creating a culturally safe environment regardless of background and identity for our people are at the heart of who we are.”
Key stakeholders have also voiced their support for NQ's commitment to reconciliation.
“There’s a fractured past with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, so reconciliation for me means acknowledging that past, looking at how far we’ve come and trying to bridge some of those gaps that exist today,” Wulli Wulli/Wakka Wakka man and NQ First Nations Advisory Group Chair Neville Hoehne said.
“It also means to me how we acknowledge, educate and celebrate our culture because it’s one of the richest long-living cultures in the world.”
NQ RAP Lead Grace Sarra said the Innovate Phase is all about building on the foundations which have been created during the Reflect RAP implementation.
“We have built a strong foundation based on trust and collaboration with First Nations people,” Sarra said.
“We engaged with mob right across the state, we listened, we learnt. We gained authentic insight into the barriers and enablers for First Nations peoples when they participate and access netball in Queensland, at the grassroots and High-Performance levels.
“The Innovate phase is where we will apply those learnings meaningful within our organisation, clubs, associations and pathways in order to see greater enjoyment and growth in First Nations representation.
“It was a big responsibility to conduct targeted consultation with First Nations stakeholders during our Reflect RAP, it will be an even bigger responsibility to embed those learnings across our organisation. A bigger responsibility I believe we are ready to take on.
“Thank you to all of the First Nations stakeholders who engaged with us throughout the consultation process, for bringing your lived experience to the conversation and sharing so authentically.”
NQ's Innovate RAP is a blueprint for action, detailing specific initiatives aimed at enacting reconciliation within the sport, continuing cultural awareness training for staff, the creation of partnerships with First Nations organisations, and programs to increase Indigenous participation in netball. The Innovate phase will also has a particular focus on building capacity of our clubs and associations to create culturally safe playing environments, as well as creating equitable opportunities for aspiring First Nations High Performance athletes.
Tuesday’s launch event was a celebration of culture, collaboration, and the shared vision for a reconciled Australia.
NQ also acknowledges partners Aurizon, University of Queensland, Suncorp, Origin and Woolworths are all on their own reconciliation journeys and more details of each company’s work is available on their respective websites.
For more details on Netball Queensland's Innovate RAP, click here.
