Authors: Georgia Brown1, Kerry Hall2, Llion Roberts1, Simon Buxton3, Jessica Skinner3, Clare Minahan1,4 

Affiliation(s): 1. Griffith Sports Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia;. 2. Office of the DVC (Indigenous, Diversity and Inclusion), Griffith University, Logan, Australia; 3. National Rugby League, Rugby League Central, Brisbane, Australia; 4. Australian Institute of Sport, Australian Sports Commission, Canberra, Australia

PURPOSE: First Nation’s athletes who play rugby league face a diverse range of barriers which impede the journey from community to professional elite sport. This research supports First Nations female rugby league athletes to compete at an elite level and reach their athletic potential. The aims of this research are to identify what barriers currently exist that disrupt the pathway from local-level competitions through to the elite-level, and to develop a high-performance plan that’s underpinned by sports science and technology. 

METHODS: Developing First Nation’s female rugby league athletes (n=39) selected in a camp run by the National Rugby League (NRL) participated in this study. Yarning Circles, a traditional First People’s methodology, were utilised in small groups (n=<10 athletes) to identify and explore the barriers they perceive. Audio recordings of each session were transcribed before undergoing thematic analysis. 

RESULTS: Lack of competition, lack of performance support services (i.e., strength and conditioning, sports science), remote locations, family and community, as well as pregnancy were the leading barriers perceived by First Nations female rugby league athletes. Thematic analysis identified these main categories, along with several other sub-categories and individual experiences. 

CONCLUSION: 

Barriers perceived and experienced First Nations female rugby league athletes were shown to have a negative impact on the progression and development of their rugby league careers, most notably for those located outside of major cities and not in traditional NRL pathways. Future research should aim to overcome these barriers through development camps and the use of culturally appropriate and accessible sports science and technology resources. 

Disclosure: 'The authors have nothing to disclose’.