Indigenous Program Managers

Indigenous Programs Managers

Paul Phillips

Indigenous Programs Manager North Queensland

PCYC Queensland in partnership with the Queensland Government and our First Nations people have enjoyed 13 years of programs delivered across 38 communities. During this time, we have had over two million episodes of participation. While a challenging program to deliver, it has been a highly rewarding time for our staff and communities.

In that time, we have seen the birth of our Deadly 3’s tournament and BUNBURRA, our two annual competitions that foster community engagement and grassroots youth engagement.

The Indigenous Community Sport and Recreation Program has given young people an opportunity to represent their communities at statewide events. It has given a voice to young people across Queensland to all levels of Government. It has seen young people who were once program participants complete their schooling and become PCYC Queensland staff. The program has enabled a number of participants to take their first steps in leadership with participation in our State Youth Leadership Program and in the Queensland Youth Parliament through the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program.

As with all state-wide programs of this type, our success rests on the shoulders of our front-line community-based staff. Their passion, dedication and commitment to their communities is second to none. They faced challenges of weather, remoteness and resourcing and still managed to deliver a quality, sustainable sport and recreation program.

In 2020-21 the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on service delivery and sports weighed heavily on all communities. However, the amazing ability of our place-based staff to shift focus and support their communities with whatever their needs were was incredible, with pop-up schooling programs, delivery of educational material and food hampers to the elderly and vulnerable. ICSRP staff even manned roadblocks to protect their communities which was outstanding.

Lastly, I would like to thank the Queensland Government, our Community Councils, Auspice Communities and other stakeholders. Without their continuing support of a programs like this, communities suffer, engagement decreases and anti-social behaviour increases.

The relationships and friendships made over the last 13 years of the program and eight years for myself have been incredible. I wish all our communities the best for the future and encourage you to reach out in the future.

Dean Woods

Indigenous Programs Manager South Queensland

It is hard to put into words what the Indigenous Community Sport and Recreation Program has meant to me. I’ve been involved with the program for about eight years now and from starting as an Indigenous Community Sport and Recreation Officer to finishing as the Program Manager, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my working life. For a lot of staff, the ICSRP was more than just a program it was part of their life. A lot of ICSRO’s would regularly put in more than was asked of them and the program became a valued part of community.

Firstly, I would like to personally thank each and every ICSRO that has worked in this program since the beginning. Your passion and commitment has been the cornerstone of this program and words cannot begin to describe the thanks I have for your enthusiasm and connection to your communities.

This program has seen some amazing achievements especially the creation of BUNBURRA and Deadly 3’s, both of which PCYC Queensland will still be delivering into the future with support from the PCYC Executive Leadership Team and the board.

Secondly, PCYC Queensland would also like to recognise the ongoing support provided by our partner sporting bodies for their care and passion during the program. Some special mentions go out to Basketball Queensland, Indigenous Basketball Australia, Netball Queensland and Touch Football Queensland.

The year also saw new ICSROs come on board in various locations bringing a new sense of passion and commitment to the communities they work hand and hand in. All the ICSRO’s that were onboarded did not skip a beat and delivered meaningful and community lead programs right up to the end.

I would also like to thank the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport for their continued support of the program.

Finally, I would like to thank each and every community that has supported the ICSRP over the past 13 years. Without your undying love and support we as a team would not have been able to achieve the highs the program accomplished.