The current Share a Yarn iteration is being delivered in two 12-month cycle formats outlined below. Share a Yarn Cultural Connection Program The program creates safe affirming environments which support cultural connectedness and improve wellbeing for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander high performance athletes. The program aims to: • Increase First Nation’s athletes’ sense of belonging to the Australian sporting system. • Safeguard them from the burden of cultural fatigue within the high-performance system • Increase their connection to their cultural identity, and • Create connections with other First Nations athletes across Australia. Share a Yarn Ally Program This program increases cultural competency within the high-performance sector, enhancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ experiences within high performance sport. The program aims to: • Increase knowledge of the Traditional Owners of Australia, their land, their history, and their culture • Increase knowledge of the cultural needs of First Nations athletes • Amplify the voices of First Nations communities, and • Increase cultural competency. A consultative approach was taken to develop the program with numerous stakeholders as part of the recent Share a Yarn program redevelopment to gain a better understanding about how the program can achieve its goals, be sustainable, and grow with time. Those consulted include: • Share a Yarn Ambassadors • Australian Institute of Sport staff including those from the Coach Development and Community Engagement teams • the Australian Sports Commission’s Indigenous Liaison Officer • Barkly Region Council in the Northern Territory, and • Three Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Managers (Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Gymnastics). 48