Our Year 9 PASS classes have been undertaking a critical evaluation of Issues in Sport, specifically the impact of racism towards our First Nations athletes. Last week, the students were fortunate enough to spend the day with Jarred Hodges the First Nations Strategic and Player Development Manager at the Sydney Swans. They heard from the GO and Clontarf Foundations about how the organizations promote truth telling, advocacy for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and pathways to player development and employment.
The students were able to use their learnings from the day to analyse the role that sporting organisations and foundations play in reducing racism in sport. The excursion was a fantastic opportunity for students to consolidate their ideas for their upcoming assessment which requires them to develop strategies that sporting organisations can employ to address racism in sport towards our First Nations athletes.
The students appreciated the opportunity to practice their AFL skills in the new Sydney Swans HQ and experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to enter the Sydney Swans warm up and dressing rooms in the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Ms. Elle Smith, who organized the day for the students, noted that they were very interested in understanding our First Nations history and culture, “The students have returned to class with a broader understanding of the role sporting organisations play in educating their fans and members about our First Nations culture and providing a platform for future employment for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people”. Hamish O’Brien from Miss Smith’s class was impressed with the indoor facilities and recognised that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet staff from the Sydney Swans and have a private SCG tour.
