For Hockeyroo and proud Wiradjuri woman Mariah Williams, Connection to Country plays an important role in shaping how she shows up both as an athlete and as a person.
Competing on the world stage is especially meaningful for the three-time Olympian, who represents not only Australia but also her culture and community through the Indigenous designs on her Hockeyroos uniform.
"I feel like I go out there and I walk with my ancestors before me, but also the next generation to come after me," Williams said.
Her Connection to Country was recently strengthened during a visit to the East Kimberley in Western Australia as part of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Share a Yarn program.
"It's something that I've always wanted to do, to go out to rural communities and witness the connection to culture that they have," Williams said.
"It just resonates with me so much. I get this deep understanding that this is where I'm supposed to be."
Designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes to feel culturally safe and supported, Williams credits the AIS Share a Yarn program with giving her the space and confidence to strengthen her voice and sense of identity.
"It's been really important to have some brothers and sisters that are sharing the same connection, the same sense of pride and advocating for the history of Australia and our people; it's huge for me," Williams said.
She's now taking her advocacy into a new role as the Our Connection to Country Officer at the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS)., opens in a new tab
Forming part of the Win Well Strategy's Our Connection to Country Action Plan, the role focuses on strengthening cultural safety and belonging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia's high performance system.
As one of several Connection to Country Officers now embedded across Australia's state and territory sport institutes and academies, Williams hopes her work will help create more opportunities for First Nations athletes, coaches, and staff to thrive in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.
