Tenpin Bowling Australia launches first Reconciliation Action Plan

Tenpin Bowling Australia (TBA) has officially released its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) as we continue our reconciliation journey commitment.

Following the 20^th anniversary of Reconciliation Australia this year, and the theme for National Reconciliation Week 2021 calling out the tokenistic responses to Reconciliation, it has emphasised that Reconciliation can only be achieved through meaningful reflection, dialogue, and action.

Upon reflection, TBA as a National Sporting organisation acknowledged that it needed to act and do more for Reconciliation.

The first steps were swiftly put together and approved by the TBA Board to establish an Indigenous Advisory Group with the initial goal of developing the organisation’s first Reconciliation Action Plan.

“This is a significant day in the history of TBA,” commented TBA Chairman Jerome Joseph.

“We recognise as an organisation that we are at the very start of our reconciliation journey, but I am very proud that we have taken a huge step today by releasing TBA’s first Reconciliation Action Plan.”

A RAP is a framework specific to an organisation that aims to demonstrate support and actions taken towards Reconciliation with the purpose to strengthen relationships within the community, leading ultimately to broader benefits for all Australians.

“The aim is to make reconciliation part of our workplace culture and decision making,” explained Joseph.

“I am excited to see the actions implemented to showcase who we want to be as a sport and organisation in achieving meaningful outcomes both internally and in the communities that we operate,” he added.

Structured consistently with the four pillars of TBA’s Strategic plan – Business of Bowling, Playful Connections, A Striking Force, and Pinned Together – the RAP ensures that TBA are in the best position to implement effective, practical, and reportable actions.

“None of the four pillars of our strategic plan act in isolation; instead, all are intertwined in how we aim to operate each day,” Joseph added.

“It also ensures we remain focused on our vision of building strong relationships within the community and actively connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-indigenous people through play and skill of the sport,” he said.

Initially, the TBA Indigenous Advisory Group consisted of TBA Chair Jerome Joseph, CEO Rohan O’Neill, and the National Indigenous Culinary Institute CEO, Nathan Lovett. The Advisory Group has met frequently following the National Reconciliation Week reflection in late May 2021 and there are plans to expand the Groups’ members now that the RAP has been finalised.

Excited for the RAP release, the TBA Chairman also reinforced that it is only the first step the organisation is implementing towards Reconciliation.

“I would like to extend our gratitude to Nathan Lovett, who has been an invaluable contributor with formalising our RAP,” said Joseph.

“We are proud to release the RAP and for it to become an official reference point in what we do moving forward. Ultimately, we can play a more meaningful role in our contribution towards Reconciliation in this country and it’s a role we are extremely excited to undertake.”

To view TBA’s Reconcilian Action Plan please click here.

TBA acknowledges the Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, on whose land we meet, share and work.

Feature Image – Ivy Dickinson (right) draped in the Torres Strait Islands flag with Emily Johnston (left) after winning silver in the Doubles event at the 2018 Asian Schools Competition in Chinese Taipei