REFLECT RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN NOV. 2020 – NOV. 2021 The Sydney Kings and the Flames staff and players ACKNOWLEDGEMENT acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which our games are played, OF COUNTRY and the communities we work within and support. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across our nation. 2 SYDNEY KINGS AND SYDNEY FLAMES RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN Reconciliation Australia business objectives, for the most welcomes Sydney Kings and effective outcomes. Flames to the Reconciliation These outcomes contribute Action Plan (RAP) program towards the five dimensions of with the formal endorsement reconciliation: race relations; of its inaugural Reflect RAP. equality and equity; institutional Sydney Kings and Flames joins integrity; unity; and historical a network of more than 1,100 acceptance. corporate, government, and not- It is critical to not only uphold all for-profit organisations that have five dimensions of reconciliation, made a formal commitment to but also increase awareness reconciliation through the RAP of Aboriginal and Torres Strait program. Islander cultures, histories, Since 2006, RAPs have provided knowledge, and leadership across a framework for organisations all sectors of Australian society. to leverage their structures and This Reflect RAP enables diverse spheres of influence to Sydney Kings and Flames to support the national reconciliation deepen its understanding of movement. The program’s its sphere of influence and the potential for impact is greater unique contribution it can make than ever, with over 2.3 million to lead progress across the people now working or studying five dimensions. Getting these in an organisation with a RAP. first steps right will ensure the The four RAP types — Reflect, sustainability of future RAPs and Innovate, Stretch and Elevate reconciliation initiatives, and — allow RAP partners to provide meaningful impact toward continuously develop and Australia’s reconciliation journey. strengthen reconciliation Congratulations Sydney Kings commitments in new ways. and Flames, welcome to the This Reflect RAP will lay the RAP program, and I look forward foundations, priming the to following your reconciliation workplace for future RAPs and journey in the years to come. reconciliation initiatives. The RAP program’s strength is its framework of relationships, Karen Mundine respect, and opportunities, Chief Executive Officer RA CEO allowing an organisation to Reconciliation Australia strategically set its reconciliation commitments in line with its own 3 SYDNEY KINGS AND SYDNEY FLAMES RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN MESSAGE Bruce Shillingsworth Snr, is a of Aboriginal peoples and the Murawari - Budgiti man from environment, and currently works ABOUT northerwestern NSW, now for the Department of Education residing in Waterloo, Sydney. as an educator. Bruce also Bruce is one of 11 children and dedicates his time to educating was raised in a creative and young people through his work OUR ARTIST artistic family. After collecting with Barnardo’s and Scouts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Australia. His vision is that black Islander stories for over 50 years, and white Australians will walk Bruce recently began to paint on together and see our collective canvas. Bruce has been a lifelong national identities and concerns. advocate for the education 4 SYDNEY KINGS AND SYDNEY FLAMES RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN Bruce’s art as seen in our RAP lessons and morals that have will feature in the design of both been passed down. the Sydney Kings and Flames ABOUT The gathering of all peoples, Indigenous Round Jersey’s regardless of their background for the upcoming season - into a safe space, allowing them NBL and WNBL 21. In Bruce’s BRUCES ART to experience and interpret the words the design is about: values and lessons of the First Reconciliation – we want Nations People as they see best. to bring the First Nations Inclusion – which is a pillar People into the modern of how the Sydney Kings and discussion – this will ensure Flames operate their business we do not lose the values, 5 SYDNEY KINGS AND SYDNEY FLAMES RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN and teams. MESSAGE FROM OUR OWNERSHIP CEO The Sydney Kings and Sydney Our RAP provides a foundation Flames are excited and proud that we intend to build from as to present our organisation’s we focus on the meaningful Inaugural Reflect RAP. difference we can make to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Our business is committed to Islander peoples. We will listen, reconciliation and celebrating learn and work in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Islander peoples as the Traditional owned businesses like KARI, to Owners of our nation. We will strive ensure we produce results. to build respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait We recognise our shared journey Islander communities across NSW, with First Australians is just utilising the profile and popularity beginning and we are looking of basketball to raise awareness forward to strengthening our and drive positive change. relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Our aim is to ensure our RAP communities and are committed is embraced by everyone in our to our role in driving reconciliation. business and that the knowledge our people gain can inspire them to reflect, appreciate and make Paul Kind a difference during their time at Chief Executive Officer the Kings and Flames and in their Total Sport & Entertainment future beyond our organisation. 6 SYDNEY KINGS AND SYDNEY FLAMES RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN Our vision for reconciliation is to be a business that acknowledges and embraces unity OUR VISION FOR between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians, and promotes a culture that represents equality and equity, RECONCILIATION historical acceptance of our shared history and removal of negative race relations. It is our vision to use our Sport and our Clubs to support, acknowledge and celebrate the rich cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to create positive change in their lives and to do our part to make reconciliation a reality. 7 SYDNEY KINGS AND SYDNEY FLAMES RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN OUR BUSINESS The Sydney Kings is a professional basketball team, participating in a nine-team national league, the NBL. The Sydney Kings were formed from a merger between the West Sydney Westars and the Sydney Supersonics in October 1987 and since inception has a proud history of success on the court and has made a positive contribution on many levels off the court. In 2019 the team was purchased by Total Sport and our live game day experience attracts • 310,461 Basketball participants nationally and Entertainment (TSE), a medium sized a big family audience, 47% of tickets sold are female sport and entertainment agency, employing in family category. • It’s also a game that can be played anywhere 20 staff across the Sydney Kings and Flames, Currently over 1 million people participate in as the percentage of players in cities and 2 of which have Aboriginal or Torres Straight basketball in Australia, with the sport ranked remote locations are almost exactly the same Islander heritage. In March 2020, TSE also in the top 10 overall participation sports and acquired the Sydney Flames, Sydney’s WNBL physical activities. Basketball is also the • The majority of Basketball participants are team, providing an opportunity to align Sydney’s second-most popular organised team sport aged between 12 and 18 men’s and women’s elite teams under one behind football. See Link 1, Link 2 ownership group. This alignment provides the While our organisation is not responsible for foundation to build a genuine gender equity In NSW there are 65,500 registered participants, basketball participation, we enjoy a great sports business that will result in improved 200-elite athletes in high performance programs relationship with Basketball Australia (BA), performance on the court and a meaningful and 198,000 recognised participants including Basketball NSW (BNSW), and the 19 Sydney connection in the community. players, coaches, and other participants not Metro Basketball Associations. registered (Source: Basketball NSW). Our goal is to be the most respected Office Locations: professional sporting team in Australia both Other key basketball participation figures Total Sport & Entertainment on and off the court. To drive our organisation of note: Level 2, 360 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest toward this goal we have set a business Sydney Kings wide mission to ‘Relentlessly raise the bar of • Basketball has the highest percentage Herb Elliot Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park NSW basketball in Australia, every day in every way’. of participation for adults of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults compared Flames The Sydney Kings enjoy the support of a fan to the overall population - 5.6 percent University of Sydney base in excess of 900,000 (source Nielsen) compared to 3.5 percent 8 SYDNEY KINGS AND SYDNEY FLAMES RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN OUR RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN The Sydney Kings and the Flames reconciliation journey is just beginning with this inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, formalising our strong commitment to reconciliation and Australia’s First Nations Peoples. Sport is a unique vehicle that binds people together Sport has the power to change the world. and creates social cohesion. Through our RAP we aim It has the power to unite in