Research sparks interest in traditional Indigenous games

A group of teachers from local primary schools is learning how to play Traditional Indigenous Games (TIGs) so they can teach them to their classes.

The Birrbam Gambay project initially involves grade five teachers from 10 schools. It is the focus of a research project by USQ Fraser Coast lecturer Sharon Louth.

Mrs Louth wants to spark an interest in the use of TIGs to encourage physical activity in children, to develop their motor skills, help them form a connection with Indigenous culture and build cooperation and teamship.

'Seventy-six percent of children aged from 5 to 12 do less than 60 minutes of physical activity each day,' she said. 'Ninety-five percent of them spend more than two hours a day in front of a screen.

'I’m hoping that the teachers will integrate TIGs into the curriculum as part of the 30 minutes of Smart Moves the children do each day. If the students have half as much fun as their teachers did playing the games, then it will be a huge success.'

As part of a professional development day, teachers from several schools learnt about the research project and the games, and tested out a few of them.

The games are available in the Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games book, on the Australian Sports Commission website. The book was compiled by USQ researcher Associate Professor Ken Edwards. Originally TIGs players used seed pods, animal skin balls, sticks and stones.

The schools taking part in the research project will be supplied with all the equipment they need for the modern day versions of the games, with funding from the Wide Bay Pubic Health Unit.

Mrs Louth said children would be taught a little bit about the history of each game, such as its original purpose. Some of the games were used by Indigenous people to develop their hunting skills or to learn to work in a group.

'The games are all inclusive and are not competitive,' she said. 'For instance, Puloga, played in the Cardwell and Tully River regions of North Queensland, is like dodge ball. But when a child gets ‘out’ they can immediately rejoin the game once leaving the field.'