Thecommunitynetwork:anAboriginalcommunityfootball club bringing people together

TherearefewempiricalstudiesabouttheroleofAboriginalsportingorganisationsinpromotingwellbeing.The aimofthepresentstudywastounderstandtheimpactofanAboriginalcommunitysportingteamanditsenvironmentonthe social,emotionalandphysicalwellbeingofyoungAboriginalmen,andtoidentifybarriersandmotivatorsfor participation. A literature review of the impact of sport on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal participants was conducted. This informedaqualitativestudydesignwithagroundedtheoryapproach.Foursemistructuredinterviewsandthreefocusgroups were completed with nine current players and five past players of the Fitzroy Stars Football Club to collect data about the social, emotional and physical wellbeing impact of an Aboriginal football team on its Aboriginal players. Results of the interviews were consistent with the literature, with common concepts emerging around community connection, cultural values and identity, health, values, racism and discrimination. However, the interviews provided further detail around the significance of cultural values and community connection for Aboriginal people. The complex nature of social connections andthestrengthofAboriginalcommunitynetworksinsportssettingswerealsoevident.Socialreasonswerejustasimportant as individualhealthreasons forparticipation. Socialandcommunity connectionisanimportantmechanism for maintaining and strengthening cultural values and identity. Barriers and motivators for participation in Aboriginal sports teams can be complex and interrelated. Aboriginal sports teams have the potential to have a profound impact on the health of Aboriginal people, especially its players, by fostering a safe and culturally strengthening environment and encompassing a significant positive social hub for the Aboriginal community.