In August 2024, SportWest's staff took an important step toward advancing reconciliation and cultural understanding by participating in a full-day Cultural Immersion Training facilitated by Sharon Wood-Kenney, Executive Cultural Navigation Specialist and respected First Nations educator. Sharon was appointed as SportWest's Cultural Navigation Lead.
Why This Mattered
As the peak body for sport in Western Australia, SportWest remains committed to creating safe, inclusive, and equitable environments across the sporting landscape. This training built on previous work through RAP Rings sessions in collaboration with Reconciliation WA, moving from discussion into meaningful education and action. It also forms the foundations for the True Sport Cultural Education Initiative and SportWest's organisational journey.
Every member of the SportWest team played a role in engaging with sporting organisations and communities. Understanding the challenges and aspirations of First Nations peoples in sport was vital to ensuring our leadership reflected respect, equity, and cultural safety.
Purpose and Strategic Alignment
This initiative supported SportWest’s strategic purpose, in providing leadership, advocacy and enhancing the capability of the Western Australian sport and active recreation industry to collectively improve the wellbeing of our community. It also reinforced SportWest's organisational values to Lead, Respect, Advance, and Engage.
What the Training Delivered
Under Sharon’s guidance, the team explored:
- Understanding culture and history
- Good practice for engagement
- Creating and holding space for those who need it
- Being a ‘Good Human’ in all interactions
This immersive experience marked the first step in a broader commitment to reconciliation and First Nations engagement in sport across WA. We look forward to continuing our organisational journey and supporting the WA sporting sector through the True Sport Cultural Education Initiative in 2026 and beyond.
