Share a Yarn
Connecting athletes with First Nations communities and helping them become advocates within their sport.
2024 First Nations Cultural Connection Program Ambassadors
Aaleya Turner - Netball
My name is Aaleya Turner I am a Kaurna woman living on Kaurna Country in Adelaide. I am currently in my second year of studying Paramedic Science at Flinders University. I also work part-time in my families business, Southern Cultural Immersion. We strive to promote and nurture reconciliation and cultural respect towards First Nations people.
I began playing netball at the age of five at my local netball club. I now play for Matrics Netball Club. I have been fortunate to represent South Australia at National competitions from the age of 15. At these National competitions I have been successful in being selected in the National Squad in Under 15’s, 17’s and 19’s.
I have been a member of the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) netball program since 2020. A highlight of playing netball is being involved in the Nunga Netball Carnivals each year. Competing against talented girls from all over the state has provided the opportunity to strive to be the best player I can. I even had the opportunity to represent Nunga SA at interstate carnivals in Victoria and Queensland. I played with an awesome group of girls and competed against some top level players.
SASI, my netball club and Netball South Australia have provided many opportunities to improve my skills, knowledge and passion for the game of netball. What I love mostly about my journey with netball is the lifelong friendships I have formed with my team mates.
Amanda Reid - Cycling and Snow Sport
Amanda Reid is a proud aboriginal woman, 13-time World Champion in cycling and snowboarding and a three-time Paralympian in two different sports. Winning a gold medal at the 2020 Paralympics to add to her sliver from Rio. Amanda is passionate about supporting and promoting people with disabilities, particularly those in Aboriginal communities, letting them know that they are capable and can achieve great things having been an athlete for many years.
Bianca Crisp - Swimming
My name is Bianca Crisp, and I am a proud descendant of the Wiradjuri people of Cowra, New South Wales. I am a competitive open water swimmer, specialising in the 10km marathon swim. I have represented Australia as a member Australian Dolphins Swim Team in the 5km swim at the 2023 and 2024 World Swimming Championships. Ultimately, my goal is to represent Australia in the 10km at the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Alongside my athletic pursuits, I am deeply passionate about my studies, graduating from Griffith University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Health Science. My aspiration is to pursue the Doctor of Medicine and become a specialised medical practitioner, dedicated to closing the gap and making a positive impact in the lives of First Peoples.
Bronte Stewart - Cycling
I’ve grown up in Wagga Wagga, NSW. I have represented Cycling Australia multiple times at an international level. Alongside my sport, I love to connect with people and be adventurous.
Calab Law - Athletics
My name is Calab law I am an indigenous Australian athlete. I am coached by Andrew Iselin, my favourite event is the 200m and my end goal is to become the Olympic champion. So far in my career I have made a world championship semi-final and placed third at the last world u20 championships with a PB of 20.42. One quirky fact about me is that I can eat 3L of ice cream in one sitting. The Share a Yarn program is perfect for me because I'm really passionate about meeting new people, learning from different people and helping inspire others to follow their dreams.
Clarence McCarthy - Basketball
Clarence (also known as CJ) was born in Darwin and is a proud Yanyuwa, Garrawa & Kuku Yalanji man, member and Co-Captain of the Darwin Salties & member of the Australian Rollers wheelchair basketball squad. He started playing wheelchair basketball at Darwin Basketball Association (DBA) in 2005 and has played overseas in the US, Spain and Germany over the last 8 years.
Emily Watts - Cycling
Hi, I am Emily Watts currently living on Wiradjuri land, my Aboriginal ancestors lived on Devils River Taungurung Land north east of Yea Victoria. I have been cycling competitively for 7 years now and in that time have won 3 national championships. Up until recently I have been balancing study, sport and work but this year I got the opportunity to sign with a Belgium team and combine my sport as my job. I have been living in Belgium for 3 months now and am absolutely loving the experience and the level of racing. I will be based overseas for most of the year with small stints back home when I have race breaks and back home when the season ends in September.
Mariah Williams - Hockey
Hi my name is Mariah Williams and I am a proud Wiradjuri woman and a current member of the Australia Women’s Hockey team. I was born and bred in Parkes NSW and lived there until I was 14years old. My love for hockey started there, but once I hit year 9 of my schooling, my family decided to move to Newcastle to further pursue my hockey career. I attended and finished my schooling at Hunter Sports High School where I participated in the Specialized Hockey program. My hockey career started to take off when I debuted for the Hockeyroos at the age of 17 and am still in the program currently at 27 years old. I am currently doing my Cert 4 in Youth Work as well as working for Waalitj Foundation as a Deadly Sista Girlz Mentor and am an Ambassador for Whatability.
Some of my achievements throughout my career are:
- 2013 Australian Youth Olympics Winners
- 2013 Hockeyroo Debut
- 2013 Deadlys "Rising Star" award winner
- 2015 Australian National Senior Squad
- 2016 Rio Olympics
- 2016 Junior World Cup Bronze Medal & Captain
- 2019 Hockeyroo Joint Highest Goal Scorer
- 2021 Tokyo Olympics
- 2022 World Cup Bronze Medal
- 2022 Commonwealth Games Silver Medal
Marissa Williamson-Pohlman - Boxing
Marissa "Riss" Pohlman's incredible journey began when she discovered boxing as a way to escape a difficult childhood marked by foster care and homelessness. Boxing quickly became her passion and transformed her life as she embarked on an amateur boxing career at just 17 years old. The turning point in Riss' career came when she received the prestigious 2021 Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarship, which provided the financial support she needed to pursue her dreams.
Riss draws her strength from her coach Kel Bryant OAM. Bryant, who operates a not-for-profit boxing gym aimed at developing national champions, serves as Marissa's greatest inspiration. She also credits her challenging childhood and the hardships she faced as the driving force behind her determination to succeed against all odds.
Marissa is the first ever Aboriginal woman to qualify for the Olympics in the sport of boxing. Riss is deeply committed to caring for the land and advocating for community-led land management initiatives.
Rosie McMahon - Football and Cricket
Wunya, I am Rosie McMahon, born, raised and connected to Kabi Kabi country on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, with descendants from the Yiman.I have a passion for sport and have experienced many successes in both football and cricket (Junior Matildas and Qld cricket). I am so grateful for these opportunities. I love working as part of a team and contributing to a team’s success.
As a creative midfielder in football and top order bat and right arm off spin bowler in cricket, I am always striving to improve my game.
I began playing football at age 5 and cricket at age 8 at my school clubs and have been part of the Queensland Academy of Sport since 2020. A favourite highlight of my football life is when I represent the Goannas Indigenous Team where my ‘Goannas family’ embrace me in their warm supportive environment.
My school, Matthew Flinders Anglican College, provides great support with juggling sporting commitments and study through the FEAP (Flinders Elite Athlete Program).
I am proud to be part of the AIS Share the Yarn program and look forward to connecting with other indigenous athletes and learning more about our culture.
Sarah Haywood - Archery
I am Sarah Haywood, a Biripi/Ngarabal girl who grew up in Nipaluna. I have been doing archery since 2011 and have been a part of the Australian squad since 2017.
I am currently part of the Australian Olympic Shadow Squad and will be fighting for an Olympic spot this year in Paris!
Scarlet Jauncey - Netball
My name is Scarlet Jauncey, I am a proud Yawuru woman. I have played netball since I was young along with my three sisters. I am currently a defensive player for the Hamersley Comets Team, Under 19s State (Captain), West Coast Fever Academy and a WAIS scholarship holder. Last year I was selected into the Under 19s Australian Squad and am striving to make this team again this year. My ultimate goal is to play for Super Netball as well as represent Australia in the Commonwealth games.
Tay-Leiha Clark - Athletics
TBC
Tomysha Clark - Athletics
I am a proud Woromi/Wannarua woman. My grandmother was apart of the stolen generation which lead to my family only recently finding out of our Indigenous heritage, and a huge gap in knowledge. This past year after losing my grandmother, I made a goal for myself to try and fill that gap and learn as much as I can about my culture to share with my family and continue to connect with my culture. Which is why I am so beyond grateful to be selected for Share a Yarn.
I am a 2 time Oceania Champion, one title being under 18’s (2019) and the other Opens (2022). In 2020 and 2021 I qualified for the World Junior Championships which were set to be held in Kenya, Sadly Australia didn’t send a team over to compete due to COVID. This year I was selected to compete for Australia at the Oceania Cup.
Tyler Puzicha - Cycling
I’m a proud Wurundjeri woman raised on Wiradjuri country in regional NSW. I have been cycling since I was 2 years old and racing competitively since I was 5 years old. I am a member of Dubbo Cycle Club after graduating from Western Region Academy of Sport. I was selected for a NSWIS scholarship and am currently training and racing in Sydney under the guidance of Head Coach, former Olympian Sean Eadie. He has been instrumental in my recent selection and success in the Junior World Track Championships in Israel in 2022. I have recently moved into women’s elite category and look forward to new challenges and reaching new goals.
Alumni Athletes
Amanda Reid - Cycling - Para
Amanda Reid is a proud aboriginal woman, five-time World Champion In Cycling and two time Paralympian in two different sports. Winning a silver medal at the 2016 Paralympics and now having qualified for a third Games in Tokyo. Amanda is passionate about supporting and promoting people with disabilities, particularly those in Aboriginal communities, letting them know that they are capable and can achieve great things. Having been an athlete for many years, she is will supported by her mum as well as her older sister who is visually impaired.
Beki Smith - Race Walking
Beki Smith is a race walker and has competed for Australia at numerous international competitions. Most notable are the Olympic Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games and World Race Walking Team Championships. Beki is a proud Yuin woman, her great grandmother coming from Wallaga Lake on the NSW South Coast and herself having grown up on Dharug land in Western Sydney. Beki is a mum to a beautiful son and is well remembered for the moment where her now husband proposed to her immediately after her race at the London Olympics.
Brooke Peris - Hockey
Brooke Peris is a member of the Hockeyroos and is one of five children who grew up in Darwin NT with her large mob. Brooke loves her family, because there is never a dull moment between footy, holidays and endless laughter. Brooke is a current Australian Hockey player, having been a hockey player for many years, she is a committed and driven athlete who attended the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and will be vying for selection to the Tokyo 2020 Games. Brooke works, studies a Bachelor of Education at ECU and enjoys spending time with her rescue dog, Wally.
Christopher McHugh - Beach Volleyball
Chris McHugh is an Australian Beach Volleyballer who has been a part of the national team for the last 13 years with career highlights such as a 2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, 4-time Asian Beach Volleyball Champion and 6-time Australian Champion. Apart from being an athlete, Chris is a father to Jack and a husband to Denai, who has been an amazing support over his career particularly through injuries post the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Chris is deeply passionate about children in sport and encouraging them to get out and participate in all sports, particularly Olympic sports such as beach volleyball. Chris has been able to experience a great deal through his sport traveling, and meeting people he now considers family. The trials and tribulations endured through the Olympic journey can't be replicated anywhere else and Chris wants all Aussie kids to have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and passions not just in mainstream Australian sports.
Emma Fessey - Rowing
Emma Fessey is an Australian rower currently based out of the Women’s National Training Centre in Penrith. Emma grew up on a sheep and cattle station in far North Western NSW. Due to the remote area Emma’s schooling was done via Distance Education at home. Emma spent her time on the property learning about the land and how it is operated from both her family and the many Indigenous people who lived and worked around her, sharing their extensive knowledge and passion for the land. Emma developed a strong affinity and connection with the land and place she lived, and it holds great importance to her, her family and the Muruwari people. Emma studied a Bachelor of Food and Agribusiness at Sydney University to pursue her interests within the Agricultural industry. Whilst studying this degree she has balanced Rowing for Australia and competing internationally, chasing selection for the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Jada Whyman - Soccer
Jada Whyman is twenty years old and a proud Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman. Jada is originally from Wagga Wagga, now currently living in Sydney where she plays football for the Western Sydney Wanderers in the Westfield W-League as a goalkeeper. Jada has now been a member of the Western Sydney Wanderers for 5 seasons and has represented Australia in the Junior Matildas. When Jada is not playing football, she is working at Headspace, a youth mental health organisation, as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) outreach worker. This role requires Jada to go out into the community and connect with young ATSI people and support them with their mental health. Jada is extremely passionate about her work and honoured to hold her position at Headspace.
Jemima Montag - Race Walking
Jemima is an Athletics athlete, specialising in the 20km race walk. Jemima has been walking since the age of 8 and is a part of a Melbourne-based training squad. Sport gives Jemima a sense of purpose, a strong support network and experience in embracing challenges. She loves the opportunity to make friends and compete in interesting parts of the world, whilst wearing the green and gold. This year, Jemima is completing a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University with a plan to start her medical post-graduate studies in 2021. She hopes to specialise in public health and is passionate about reducing the burden of non-communicable disease in disadvantaged communities. Jemima loves cooking, piano, indoor plants, farmers markets and spending time with friends.
Katie Kelly - Triathlon - Para
Katie Kelly OAM is an Australian Paralympic Gold Medallist and had the honour of winning Australia’s first medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympics in Paratriathlon in the vision impaired class. She has also won two World Championships and was the first female para-triathlete to win Triathlon Australia's female athlete of the year award. Living with a degenerative condition known as Usher Syndrome, Katie provides insightful experiences of the challenges of disability through her 15 years working in corporate marketing roles in the sporting industry, as well as being an elite athlete Katie has always been a strong advocate of sport for the benefits it provides in developing our sense of self and belonging, as well as sport's capacity to help us achieve a cohesive, healthier and happier community. Katie has held pro bono roles with the Australian Blind Cricket team and Australian Deaflympic Team, and is on the Board of Deaf Sports Australia. She is also an Ambassador for the Royal Deaf Blind Institute for Children and Usher Kids Australia. Her proudest work was establishing Sport Access Foundation in 2017, a registered listed charity. Sport Access Foundation aims to improve access for Australian children with a disability to play sport. SAF also provided grants for indigenous children in its second year in 2018.
Laura Hodges - Basketball (former)
Basketball has been part of Laura Hodges life for 26 years. It's given her the opportunity to travel and live around the world, yet there's no country she loves exploring more than Australia. Laura has competed at 4 Olympic Games, 3 World Championships and 1 Commonwealth Games over a 16-year period. Her highlights are winning Gold at the 2006 World Championships and achieving Silver at the 2008 Olympics. In 2018 Laura and her husband welcomed a daughter Ava and love watching her grow. Laura returned to the WNBL this past season which was as challenging as it was rewarding. Basketball will always be a part of Laura’s life and she enjoys giving back to younger aspiring athletes.
Michelle Wilson - Karate
Michelle has been an Australian Karate Team member for over 20 years. She has captained the country on numerous occasions and is currently ranked 28th in the world. Michelle is an 11-time Australian Champion, 3-time Oceania Champion and 4-time WKF Senior World Championships representative, including being the first Australian mum to compete at WKF K1 event, only 6 months after having my twins, and placing 2nd! Michelle is passionate about all forms of sport and creating a vibrant and cohesive community. She is currently employed as General Manager of Adelaide University Sport and her professional background is in physical activity and public health. She is passionate about inspiring people to be the best version of themselves, particularly young women.
Mitch Bullen - Cycling (former)
Mitch Bullen is a former Athlete involved in Cycling Australia's High-Performance Program for several years, representing Australia on multiple occasions. Mitch is from a small country town called Armidale and is very passionate about grassroots programs and sports development. Through his time as an athlete, Mitch experienced many unique opportunities, travelling the world and making great mates through sport. Mitch is now focused on developing his professional career away from sport but loves following the progress of sport and sharing his experiences with the next generation of athletes.
Rowena Meredith - Rowing
Rowena Meredith has represented and medalled for Australia internationally multiple times However, it is not the medals that motivate her, but the people and relationships she gains along the way. Outside of rowing, Rowena is studying to become a paramedic where she hopes to be able to use it within a sporting environment to provide medical help. Additionally, she is interested in understanding different cultures within the community to be able to provide the best medical care possible. Rowena is based out of the Rowing National Training Centre in Penrith, competing for the Australian team.
Rebecca Hancock - Sailing
Rebecca Hancock started sailing when she was 11 years old after watching her older brother Stephen sail every Sunday. One year later she found herself sailing with him in the NSW youth sailing team, in which they continued to compete together for two years. Now, Rebecca finds herself representing Australia internationally and looking to build on her success. If Rebecca is not on the water training, she will generally be in the gym or studying. She is currently studying exercise physiology at UNSW and working part time as a sailing coach at her own grass roots sailing club. She has always been very committed to sailing, becoming 2019 Nacra 15 Youth World Champion at only 17 years old whilst completing her HSC.
Alex Winwood - Boxing
4-time Australian Boxing Champion, Alex Winwood, has represented his country at multiple world championships and Oceania championships in a range of weight divisions. Having qualified in the 52kg division for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Alex is set to again represent his country on the world stage.
Alex also works hard outside of his sport, working as an apprentice electrician. In his spare time, Alex is a boxer with a passion for sport, outdoor activities and video games and represents his community, the Noongar people of South Western Australia, and his Aboriginal culture, with pride.
Amy Ridge - Water polo
Amy Ridge is a member of the Australian women’s water polo team, the ‘Aussie Stingers’. She is a World Championship bronze medallist and is currently training for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She is passionate about diverse representation in sport and equal sporting opportunities in the broader community.
As well as training and competing, Amy is studying a Bachelor of Arts/ Law at UNSW. This sparked her interest in Indigenous justice and confronting the issues in our criminal justice system, particularly the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in custody.
As a Share a Yarn Ambassador she hopes to learn from and develop connections with Indigenous cultures across Australia so that she can better understand and engage with these issues in her future career.
Brad Scott - Para-athletics
Brad Scott is a prominent Paralympian, having formerly represented Australia in Athletics and also in Soccer. His greatest achievement as an athlete, was winning silver and bronze medals at the 2012 London Paralympic Games in Athletics.
Brad is passionate about his family and community, currently working in his local community to develop and promote inclusion of people with disability into meaningful community roles. He hopes to take this passion and experience into his role as a Share a Yarn ambassador in 2021.
Caitlin Sargent - Athletics
Caitlin Sargent made her debut on the Australian senior team in 2011 and has been a consistent feature of the Australian team since then. Her appearances include two Summer Universiade’s, World Championships, two Commonwealth Games and World Relay Championships and her proudest by far, is a finals finish at the Rio Olympic Games.
Throughout her sporting career, Caitlin has balanced study and work, completing her Bachelor of Physiotherapy (with first class Honours) in 2013, before commencing work as a physio in private practice.
Through her experiences in track and field and her physio work, Caitlin is passionate about creating a fair and equitable world for all, regardless of gender, race, or ability and is also highly invested in environmental conservation.
Christopher McHugh - Beach volleyball
Chris McHugh is an Australian Beach Volleyballer who has been a part of the national team for the last 14 years with career highlights such as a 2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, 4-time Asian Beach Volleyball Champion and 6-time Australian Champion.
Apart from being an athlete, Chris is a father to Jack and a husband to Denai, who have been his key supporters. Chris is deeply passionate about children in sport and encouraging them to get out and participate in all sports, particularly Olympic sports such as Beach Volleyball. Chris has been able to experience a great deal through his sport traveling, and meeting people he now considers family.
The trials and tribulations endured through the Olympic journey can't be replicated anywhere else and Chris wants all Aussie kids to have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and passions not just in mainstream Australian sports.
Gabrielle Coffey - Netball
Gabrielle Coffey is a Netballer in Victoria, originally from Alice Springs. Gabrielle will represent Australia in the World Youth Cup Netball squad alongside her commitments as a Netball athlete at the Victorian Institute of Sport. In her life outside of sport, Gabrielle studies Communications and Media at the University of Melbourne. She is very passionate about promoting an active lifestyle to young girls and is a massive supporter for the improvement of mental health support for young Indigenous Australians.
As an Aboriginal woman, she is very excited to be a part of the Share a Yarn initiative and hopes it will help her get a step closer to increasing understanding of Indigenous culture within sport.
Janice Blackman - Softball
Janice Blackman is a proud Gubbi Gubbi and Butchulla Woman and a single mother to a beautiful Son, Jaidyn. When Janice was 19 years old, she made her international Debut with the Aussie Spirit Softball team. She has been a member of the QLD heat softball team for 8 years, all whilst working full-time as a Deadly Choices Program Officer with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health.
Janice hopes to pursue a career in teaching later in life and has many passions which all impact her in different ways. Family is a core passion; the sense of love, nurturing and happiness gives Janice the positive vibes she needs to keep moving forward in sport and life.
Being a good role model for her mob is also a key motivator, inspiring younger generations, showing them that life is full of choices.
Jonty O’Callaghan - Para-Alpine Skiing
Regardless of being diagnosed with hemiplegia as young child, Jonty O’Callaghan began skiing. From there, he quickly gained an affinity for racing, taking up Para Alpine skiing as a full-time athlete at age 16.
Since then he has had a roller coaster journey full of highs and lows, from breakthrough performances to epic crashes. Jonty’s career highlight to date is qualifying and competing at the 2018 Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang and he is determined to again represent his country at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing.
Outside of skiing Jonty has completed a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in history) at the University of Melbourne and will soon be undertaking further study in Business. Jonty is very passionate about all things sport and has a keen interest in world affairs.
Kyah Simon - Soccer
Born and raised in Western Sydney, Kyah Simon is a proud Aboriginal woman from both the Anaiwan and Biripi nations who worked her way up the ranks to earn her first senior cap at the age of 16, for the Westfield Matildas. Kyah has since represented Australia 92 times at International Tournaments including the 2011 and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cups, where she became the first Indigenous player to score at a FIFA World Cup.
In 2016 she also fulfilled a lifelong dream of representing Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Domestically, Kyah is one of the stars of the Westfield W-League with multiple League Championships and Internationally, has taken her playing career to the US and more recently Europe.
Kyah is motivated to stay at the top of her game in preparation for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Kyah has completed a Diploma in Business Management and has always had passions within the business sector. Although being a full-time Professional Footballer, Kyah has always had passion's off-field, such as founding her Kyah Simon Football Clinics.
Kyah enjoys mentoring the next generation and strongly believes in using the influential position she is in to help develop and encourage the younger generations to dream big and believe in themselves.
Mariah Williams - Hockey
Mariah Williams is a member of the Australian Women’s Hockey team (Hockeyroos) and has been for 7 years now. She debuted for the Hockeyroos at 17 years old and despite multiple knee injuries, was selected for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. After the Olympics she also attended the Hockey Junior World Cup in Chile where she captained the team to a bronze medal. Mariah is working hard towards selection for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games to follow her appearance in Rio.
Mariah is very passionate about her sport and has a hunger and competitiveness inside that always wants to be out on the pitch competing against world-class athletes.
Mariah is excited and motivated to share a yarn with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, outside of her own family.
Michelle Wilson - Karate
Michelle Wilson has been an Australian Karate Team member for over 20 years, having captained the country on numerous occasions. Michelle is an 11-time Australian Champion, 3-time Oceania Champion and 4-time WKF Senior World Championships representative, including being the first Australian mum to compete at WKF K1 event, only 6 months after having twins, and placing 2nd!
Michelle is passionate about all forms of sport and creating a vibrant and cohesive community. She is currently employed as General Manager of Adelaide University Sport and her professional background is in physical activity and public health.
She is passionate about inspiring people to be the best version of themselves, particularly young women.
Renee Rockliff - Hockey
Renee Rockliff is a Hockey athlete out of the Western Australian Institute of Sport, with Hockey being a large part of her life. Renee has played a number of National tournaments and represented Australian in the Australian Junior side at both an under 21 and 23 level and playing for the Perth Thundersticks in Hockey One National league.
Alongside hockey, Renee has always had a passion for helping others, especially the vulnerable and marginalised populations, as such she is currently working as a physiotherapist with a future endeavour to peruse medicine.
Renee hopes to use this role as a Share a Yarn ambassador as a stepping stone to greater her knowledge and understanding and to better engage within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community both as an athlete, and a health practitioner.
Rhydian Cowley - Athletics
Rhydian Cowley lives, trains, and works on Wurundjeri, Woiwurrung & Boonwurrung land. He has represented Australia at the 2016 Olympic Games, 2018 Commonwealth Games, and three World Athletics Championships in the 20km racewalk, and has qualified for Tokyo in both the 20k and 50k walk. Rhydian has completed a Bachelor of Arts (History) and Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) and currently works in office administration.
In his spare time, Rhydian loves to make and share jam made from neighbourhood fruit trees, contribute to his local community garden, and read books. He is excited to learn more about Indigenous Australia through his involvement in the Share a Yarn Initiative and to share those stories and lessons with his community and his sport to help make them more inclusive places.
Sarah Gigante - Cycling
Sarah Gigante is a 20-year-old cyclist, racing for the professional American-based road team ‘Team Tibco Silicon Valley Bank’ and also studying linguistics and geography at the University of Melbourne. Sarah’s top achievements in the sport so far have been winning the Australian Elite Women's National Road Race Championships in 2019 and the Elite Women's National Time Trial Championships in 2020 and 2021.
Off the bike, Sarah really enjoys learning languages, spending time with cats and dogs, going to the beach and most importantly, spending some time at home.
Alex Rossi - Rowing
Alex competes for the West Australian Rowing Club and is a scholarship athlete at WAIS. Alex is undertaking his third year in biomedical science at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle.
Breeana Walker - Bobsleigh
Bree Walker, otherwise known as Bobsledbree, is a Pilot of the Australian Bobsleigh Team (Bobteam Walker). After a successful career as a 400m/400mh athlete, in which she won a variety of state and national medals, Bree slid into Bobsleigh making her debut on the ice during the 2016/17 season. Over the past few years, Bree has been determined to grow and develop in Bobsleigh, becoming one of the fastest bobsleigh pilot pushers amongst world-class athletes. Bree proudly represents Australia, achieving multiple World Cup podiums, 2x rank second overall in the world ranking and most recently making her Olympic debut at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics where she placed fifth.
Claire Durston - Waterpolo
Claire Durston is a member of the ‘Aussie Stingers’, the Australian women’s water polo team as a goalkeeper. She hopes to make her senior international debut in 2022. Claire has represented Australia at U20’s World Championships in 2019 in Madeira, Portugal and has played professionally overseas as well as many seasons in the Australian Water Polo League. Claire has played many different sports from an early age, before deciding to focus on water polo and later earnt a scholarship to WAIS in 2017.
Gabrielle Ash - Freestyle Aerial Skier
Gabrielle is an Australian freestyle aerial skier. She started aerial skiing in 2016, competing in her first World Cup circuit in the 2020/21 season and recently competed at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games.
Jamie-Lee Price - Netball
Jamie-Lee played netball from the age of six years old as well as Touch Football and Oz Tag but she always had the dream from a young age to be a professional netballer.
Whilst being in Australia she has been fortunate enough to represent Australia in the Under 21 World Youth Cup team, debut for the Diamonds and plays in the 2019 World Cup where they won a silver medal. Jamie-Lee aspires to make the 2022 Commonwealth Games Team and win her first international gold medal. Outside of netball Jamie-Lee is very passionate about working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youths and has completed a Youth Work Certificate.
Marina Carrier - Modern Pentathlon
Marina grew up on the traditional lands of the Camaraigal people in northern Sydney, fostering a love for the outdoors and sports at every and any level. Marina is a Tokyo 2020 Olympian, World Cup finalist and Junior World Championships top 10 athlete, having represented Australia in Modern Pentathlon since the age of 17. As an all-round sportsperson, her focus is on the joy that sport can bring, and the importance of a holistic approach to life on and off the sporting field. Alongside her sport, Marina is finishing her studies in Medical Science in the pursuit of becoming a doctor one day.
Natalie Curtis - Wheelchair Basketball
Natalie was born with a birth defect that left her confined to a wheelchair at a young age, however, this certainly has not stopped her from making the most of life. She currently plays Wheelchair Basketball for Australia. Natalie also owns a business that assists people with disability.
Nic Kyriazis - Archery
Nic is an archer training to compete internationally for Australia. He's also a student at Macquarie University studying honours in Psychology, with aspirations to work in sports psychology.
Sally Phillips - Basketball (retired)
Sally is a driver of culture and values leadership with extensive experience in the high-performance sporting industry as both a professional basketballer and executive. Sally played in the Women’s National Basketball League from 1990 to 2000 and was a member of the Australian Gems team who won Australia’s first International Gold Medal at the World Cup in 1993.
Sally is driven to link her legacy to make a positive, meaningful contribution and remains relentless in her desire to make a difference. Sally is currently General Manager of Strategic Initiatives at Indigenous Basketball Australia, a not-for-profit entity established by Patty Mills.
Trevor Hirth - Para Table Tennis
Trevor was born with a neuromuscular disability and competed in the Australian Para Table Tennis team since 2013, making his international debut at the age of 29. Trevor has represented Australia at three world championships and also the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Aaleya Turner - Netball
My name is Aaleya Turner I am a Kaurna woman living on Kaurna Country in Adelaide. I am currently in my second year of studying Paramedic Science at Flinders University. I also work part-time in my families business, Southern Cultural Immersion. We strive to promote and nurture reconciliation and cultural respect towards First Nations people.
I began playing netball at the age of five at my local netball club. I now play for Matrics Netball Club. I have been fortunate to represent South Australia at National competitions from the age of 15. At these National competitions I have been successful in being selected in the National Squad in Under 15’s, 17’s and 19’s.
I have been a member of the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) netball program since 2020. A highlight of playing netball is being involved in the Nunga Netball Carnivals each year. Competing against talented girls from all over the state has provided the opportunity to strive to be the best player I can. I even had the opportunity to represent Nunga SA at interstate carnivals in Victoria and Queensland. I played with an awesome group of girls and competed against some top level players.
SASI, my netball club and Netball South Australia have provided many opportunities to improve my skills, knowledge and passion for the game of netball. What I love mostly about my journey with netball is the lifelong friendships I have formed with my team mates.
Abbey Connor - Swimming
TBC
Amanda Reid - Cycling and Snow Sport
Amanda Reid is a proud aboriginal woman, 9 time World Champion In Cycling and Snowboarding and a three time Paralympian in two different sports. Winning a Gold medal at the 2020 Paralympics to add to her sliver from Rio . Amanda is passionate about supporting and promoting people with disabilities, particularly those in Aboriginal communities, letting them know that they are capable and can achieve great things. Having been an athlete for many years
Bianca Crisp - Swimming
My name is Bianca Crisp and I am a proud descendant of the Wiradjuri people of Cowra, New South Wales. I am a competitive open water swimmer, specialising in the 10km marathon swim. I was recently selected as a member of the Australian Dolphins Swim Team to represent my country in the 5km swim at the 2023 World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Ultimately, my goal is to represent Australia in the 10km at the Paris 2024 and LA 2028 Olympic Games. Alongside my athletic pursuits, I am deeply passionate about my studies, graduating from Griffith University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Health Science. My aspiration is to pursue the Doctor of Medicine and become a specialised medical practitioner, dedicated to closing the gap and making a positive impact in the lives of First Peoples.
Bronte Stewart - Cycling
I’ve grown up in Wagga Wagga, NSW. In 2022, I was a part of the Junior Australian Development team that raced internationally in Europe and later in the year I represented Australia at the UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong. Alongside my sport, I’ve begun studying a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) through USC in pursuit of working with high performance athletes. Outside of Cycling I love being around people and adventuring outdoors
Calab Law - Athletics
My name is Calab law I am an indigenous Australian athlete. I am coached by Andrew Iselin my favourite event is the 200m and my end goal is to become the Olympic champion, so far in my career I have made a world championship semi-final and placed third at the last world u20 championships with a pb of 20.42 and one quirky fact about me is that I have and can eat 3L of ice cream in one sitting. The share the yarn program because is perfect for me because I'm really passionate about meeting new people and learning from all different people and if I can help inspire other people to follow their dream is something I'm passionate about.
Clarence McCarthy - Basketball
Clarence (also known as CJ) was born in Darwin & is a proud Yanyuwa, Garrawa & Kuku Yalanji man, member of the Darwin Salties & Australian Rollers wheelchair basketball squad.
Started playing wheelchair basketball at Darwin Basketball Association (DBA) in 2005 and has played overseas in the US & Spain over the last 7 years.
Emilia Murray - Football
Hi I'm Emilia Murray a Dhudhuroa and Yorta Yorta woman, I am professional footballer currently playing for Adelaide United and the Young Matilda's.
Emily Watts - Cycling
TBC
Mariah Williams - Hockey
Hi my name is Mariah Williams and I am a proud Wiradjuri woman and a current member of the Australia Women’s Hockey team. I was born and bred in Parkes NSW and lived there until I was 14years old. My love for hockey started there, but once I hit year 9 of my schooling, my family decided to move to Newcastle to further pursue my hockey career. I attended and finished my schooling at Hunter Sports High School where I participated in the Specialized Hockey program. My hockey career started to take off when I debuted for the Hockeyroos at the age of 17 and am still in the program currently at 27 years old. I am currently doing my Cert 4 in Youth Work as well as working for Waalitj Foundation as a Deadly Sista Girlz Mentor and am an Ambassador for Whatability.
Some of my achievements throughout my career are:
- 2013 Australian Youth Olympics Winners
- 2013 Hockeyroo Debut
- 2013 Deadlys "Rising Star" award winner
- 2015 Australian National Senior Squad
- 2016 Rio Olympics
- 2016 Junior World Cup Bronze Medal & Captain
- 2019 Hockeyroo Joint Highest Goal Scorer
- 2021 Tokyo Olympics
- 2022 World Cup Bronze Medal
- 2022 Commonwealth Games Silver Medal
Marissa Williamson-Pohlman - Boxing
TBC
Ruby Storm - Swimming
TBC
Sarah Haywood - Archery
TBC
Tay-Leiha Clark - Athletics
TBC
Tomysha Clark - Athletics
I am a proud Woromi/Wannarua woman. My grandmother was apart of the stolen generation which lead to my family only recently finding out of our Indigenous heritage, and a huge gap in knowledge. This past year after losing my grandmother, I made a goal for myself to try and fill that gap and learn as much as I can about my culture to share with my family and continue to connect with my culture. Which is why I am so beyond grateful to be selected for Share a Yarn.
I am a 2 time Oceania Champion, one title being under 18’s (2019) and the other Opens (2022). In 2020 and 2021 I qualified for the World Junior Championships which were set to be held in Kenya, Sadly Australia didn’t send a team over to compete due to COVID. This year I was selected to compete for Australia at the Oceania Cup.
Tyler Puzicha - Cycling
I’m a proud Wurundjeri woman raised on Wiradjuri country in regional NSW. I have been cycling since I was 2 years old and racing competitively since I was 5 years old. I am a member of Dubbo Cycle Club after graduating from Western Region Academy of Sport. I was selected for a NSWIS scholarship and am currently training and racing in Sydney under the guidance of Head Coach, former Olympian Sean Eadie. He has been instrumental in my recent selection and success in the Junior World Track Championships in Israel in 2022. I have recently moved into women’s elite category and look forward to new challenges and reaching new goals.
Athlete Ambassadors
Athletes involved in the program will:
- Completing induction
- Group training
- Goal setting & planning
- Yarn with prominent ATSI community members
- Supporting & visiting organisations & Initiatives in ATSI communities
- Presenting in the greater community
- Advocating in sport
- Sharing awareness through media, events & campaigns