The Board of Athletics North Queensland is pleased to announce the appointment of Rachel Dean as First Nations Programs Coordinator.
Rachel, a Gooreng Gooreng and Girramay women, is a graduate of the Indigenous Marathon Project. A run leader of Cairns Deadly Runners and Walkers, Rachel has been involved in recreational running for some time and only recently competed in her 3rd Marathon on the Gold Coast.
Athletics North Queensland’s General Manager Dayne O’Hara said Rachel’s appointment to the role provides an exciting time for North Queensland to establish strong connections and activities in the communities. Rachel’s recreational running experience mixed with her passion for the sport is what is required to establish sustainable athletics programs for years to come.
Rachel’s portfolio will be looking after the re-establish Athletics for the Outback Program, the aim to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their communities the opportunity to participate in athletics on a regular basis while increasing the community ownership and management of athletics in selected communities that includes Weipa, Thursday Island and Bamaga. This is part of the National First Nations program managed by Athletics Australia. Queensland has been very successful over the years through these programs to embed athletics into the communities, with Normanton and Surrounds Athletics club one of many examples of success.
Rachel said she was excited to take on the new position at Athletics North Queensland and is looking forward to playing a crucial role in the Athletics for the Outback space in shaping the future of the sport.
Rachel commenced work at Athletics North Queensland on the 5 July.
