National Reconciliation Week 2023

30 May 2023

Tenpin Bowling Australia

The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2023, ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ urges everyone to act today for a more reconciled country.

Using your power, your words, and your vote you can help create a better, more just Australia for all of us. 

Tenpin Bowling Australia has registered their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) with independent not-for profit organisation ‘Reconciliation Australia’. The lead body for reconciliation in Australia, they promote and facilitate reconciliation by building relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The timing coincides with National Reconciliation Week 2023, from 27th May to 3rd June, it urges everyone to act today for a more reconciled country.

So what are Tenpin Bowling Australia doing? Our RAP can be seen here: https://www.tenpin.org.au/about-tba/reconciliation-action-plan/

It’s a ‘’reflect’ plan that looks at the basics of establishing better understanding and identifying potential. There are several measures stemming from the creation of a Reconciliation Action Plan in 2021, that work to identify and collaborate towards better outcomes, with a focus on tenpin bowling, centres, participants and pathways. The RAP aligns with TBA’s strategic areas;

Business of Bowling; data collection on current Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) bowlers/coaches, etc. Acknowledgement of Country at centres, meetings & events. Playful Connections; explore use for portable lanes in remote communities, identify areas of potential interest, review current resources for inclusive measures. Pinned Together; research the history of ATSI participation in tenpin bowling, identify potential commercial and non-commercial partnerships with ATSI/RAP organisations and individuals. A Striking Force; understand current high-performance athletes and coaches of ATSI heritage, pilot a program supporting the pathway to high-performance, support (with funding) bowlers of ATSI origins.

“This is just the start of the journey for TBA, “we’d love to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from our bowling community, we’d like to start an advisory group or panel, so we can keep moving in the right direction,” Emily Rennes, Diversity, Inclusion & Program Manager said. “We’re taking advice from a range of resources including the Australian Sport Commission on pathways and practices but know there’s ground to be made by talking and listening to our people directly.”

This is just the start of the journey for TBA, “we’d love to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from our bowling community, look at starting a group to discuss and inform the organisation so we keep moving in the right direction” Emily Rennes, Diversity, Inclusion & Program Manager said. We’re taking advice from the Australian Sport Commission on resources, pathways and practices, but know there’s ground to be made by talking to our people directly.

Any community interested in finding out more or being involved please reach out to Emily via [email protected]