Aboriginal Outcomes

The Play on Country Strategy recognises that sport and active recreation in Aboriginal communities are deeply connected to culture and Country. It is where young people learn from Elders, where families grow stronger across generations, and where stories are shared and culture is kept strong.

It can be a footy game that brings the whole community together, a tournament that reconnects kin from across NSW, or children playing late under lights that also serve as a gathering place. In these moments, sport is not just an activity, it is community building in action.

Mainstream approaches often define sport through performance, winning and competition results. For Aboriginal people, sport carries a broader meaning. It is linked to ceremony, culture, kinship and care. Relationships sit at the centre, and they take time to build. Aboriginal leadership is critical, bringing cultural authority, trust and influence that cannot be replicated from outside the community.

When sport is measured and funded only through mainstream systems and metrics, we risk overlooking what matters most. To truly support Aboriginal communities, we need to rethink how we define, measure and invest in sport. Our approach should adapt to culture, not expect culture to fit within existing systems.

The Strategy is guided by four pillars.

These pillars reflect community priorities and are underpinned by culture, lived experience and strengths.