From the NBA to FNQ
Bringing sports science on Country
The Aboriginal community of Yarrabah in Far North Queensland is a long way from the packed stadiums of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States. But First Nations sport scientist Emily Hall is comfortable putting a sneaker clad foot in both camps.
The PhD candidate in The University of Queensland’s School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences is one of just two Australians awarded an inaugural High Performance x Equity Fellowship by NBA champion Patty Mills’ Team Mills Foundation, the San Antonio Spurs and Liminal Collective.
Emily Hall near the Frio River, Texas.
Emily Hall near the Frio River, Texas.
The proud Wiradjuri woman is using the opportunity to enhance her postgraduate study in sport science and human movement, working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young peoples.
It’s a logical step in the sport lover’s journey.
Before full-time academia, Ms Hall coached taekwondo, children’s soccer and worked as a strength and conditioning coach in men’s and women’s rugby league.
“I’ve always been active and enjoy staying fit,” Ms Hall said.
“But I also love what sport can do for people – as individuals, being part of a team or for communities.
“Being physical is so important throughout your life, and it should start in the early years.”
A PCYC slip 'n slide activity for children in Yarrabah.
A PCYC slip 'n slide activity for children in Yarrabah.
Ms Hall’s PhD research centres around MobMoves, a program co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to embrace lifelong exercise and healthy living.
“The idea is to get Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children running, jumping and catching and learning about the other benefits of moving their bodies,” Ms Hall said.
“There’s evidence that regular physical activity improves sleep and strengthens their bones, and benefits are also psychological, social and cognitive.
“Physical movement helps develop skills like self-discipline, motivation and regulating emotions.”
The 12-week MobMoves program also involves the children’s families, with the activities designed to promote interconnectedness.
MobMoves is inspired by a similar program run by Head of School Professor John Cairney in communities in Canada.
“The Canadian program worked really well, so the idea was to see how similar principles could be applied here when embedded with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing,” Ms Hall said.
“We were invited into the Aboriginal community of Yarrabah, east of Cairns, to co-design the pilot program with Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service, the local community-controlled service.
“This means the program is connected to culture and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing,” Ms Hall said.
“We might embed local language, play local games or deliver sessions on Country - the community are the facilitators and educators.
“This is definitely Yarrie’s program.”
Ms Hall was already a fan of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NBA champion and Olympian Patty Mills (pictured), when her PhD supervisor Dr Keane Wheeler suggested she apply for a fellowship through the Mills foundation.
On offer was a sponsorship to a 12-month international pilot program for young professionals working in sport and human performance.
Ms Hall’s application was successful and in 2022 she joined 10 other Equity Fellows, including other First Nations scientists, for an intensive program at the home of Mills’ former NBA team, the San Antonio Spurs in Texas.
“When the Spurs won the 2014 NBA championship Patty held up the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags during the celebrations,” Ms Hall said.
“That was incredibly powerful.
“It’s so good to see another First Nations person at the top of their game and using this success to promote high impact community led outcomes.”
Mills now plays for the Brooklyn Nets, but his legacy at his former club remains.
“Spurs’ Coach Pops (Gregg Popovich) came and spoke to the fellowship group and I got to meet him afterwards for a yarn,” Ms Hall said.
“We talked about Eddie Mabo and other inspirational leaders.”
Emily Hall at the San Antonio Spurs High Performance Centre, Texas.
Emily Hall at the San Antonio Spurs High Performance Centre, Texas.
As well as meeting NBA players and coaching staff, Ms Hall’s Texas trip also included an introduction to industry mentors, a workshop with leading sport scientists, a tour of a military hospital and a presentation by a choreographer to some of the biggest pop stars in the world.
“It was amazing to hear from all these people at the top of their game,” Ms Hall said.
“But the fellowship also empowered my identity as a young First Nations person with lived experience in human movement sciences.
“It also emphasised to me the importance of valuing a greater range of diverse voices in society.”
Image: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Ms Hall was already a fan of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NBA champion and Olympian Patty Mills (pictured), when her PhD supervisor Dr Keane Wheeler suggested she apply for a fellowship through the Mills foundation.
On offer was a sponsorship to a 12-month international pilot program for young professionals working in sport and human performance.
Ms Hall’s application was successful and in 2022 she joined 10 other Equity Fellows, including other First Nations scientists, for an intensive program at the home of Mills’ former NBA team, the San Antonio Spurs in Texas.
“When the Spurs won the 2014 NBA championship Patty held up the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags during the celebrations,” Ms Hall said.
“That was incredibly powerful.
“It’s so good to see another First Nations person at the top of their game and using this success to promote high impact community led outcomes.”
Mills now plays for the Brooklyn Nets, but his legacy at his former club remains.
“Spurs’ Coach Pops (Gregg Popovich) came and spoke to the fellowship group and I got to meet him afterwards for a yarn,” Ms Hall said.
“We talked about Eddie Mabo and other inspirational leaders.”
Emily Hall at the San Antonio Spurs High Performance Centre.
Emily Hall at the San Antonio Spurs High Performance Centre.
As well as meeting NBA players and coaching staff, Ms Hall’s Texas trip also included an introduction to industry mentors, a workshop with leading sport scientists, a tour of a military hospital and a presentation by a choreographer to some of the biggest pop stars in the world.
“It was amazing to hear from all these people at the top of their game,” Ms Hall said.
“But the fellowship also empowered my identity as a young First Nations person with lived experience in human movement sciences.
“It also emphasised to me the importance of valuing a greater range of diverse voices in society.”
Image: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Since returning home to Brisbane, Ms Hall has kept in contact with the other Equity Fellows and attended virtual continuous education sessions with industry mentors.
The group has since returned to the US to continue the program and reflect on their experiences.
Ms Hall has fit the travel in around trips north to Yarrabah.
“A high-performance program around the NBA doesn’t seem very relatable but I’ve been able to apply ideas to how I approach my practice and research,” she said.
“I am working to strengthen ideas that First Nations health shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all approach based around western understandings.
“MobMoves is a path to healthier living led by community.
“I’m very passionate about this work as its connected to my own health and wellbeing as a First Nations person.
“I just want to stay involved in sport - talking about it, teaching it and bringing the idea of equity and cultural considerations into more sports spaces,” Ms Hall said.
MobMoves was awarded a UQ Indigenous Research Engagement and Partnerships Fund grant in 2022.
Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, +61 429 056 139.
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