USQ students learning traditional Indigenous games

Using tennis balls as spears and a gym ball to represent a wild animal, a group of university students is learning to play traditional indigenous games.

The Education students, from the University of Southern Queensland Fraser Coast, have been instructed in the art of playing the games by local Indigenous men James Briggs and Les Raveneau.

Mr Briggs, who works for Population Health Queensland, said it was hoped to establish a pilot program on the Fraser Coast to have traditional games incorporated in the school curriculum.

'We decided to take it to the teachers in training who are about to become teachers,' Mr Briggs said.

'That way they can teach the children of the region the traditional games so they can appreciate and experience aspects of Indigenous culture.'

The move to teach traditional games to the nation's children has gained momentum with the establishment of an Australian Sports Commission website, called Yulunga, of more than 100 games. They include ball games, hide and seek games, target games, wrestling and many more.

Originally the games were used to teach children hunting skills and lessons in culture. The balls would have been spears and the target would have been an animal fur disc.

They have been adapted to suit today's lifestyle and equipment but the rules and the skills and lessons learnt are still the same.

Mr Briggs said the games were suitable for children and adults of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

'These games are inclusive of everyone, so no-one is left to sit on the sidelines,' he said.

'You don't have to be an elite athlete either.'

He said there were protocols attached to playing the games though. The traditional owners of the land must be acknowledged and the local elders consulted.

Media Contact:  Katrina Corcoran, USQ Media, +61 7 4194 3167