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Following extensive planning and discussions, SportWest has announced the appointment of its inaugural Cultural Navigation Lead, Sharon Wood-Kenney.

With over 20 years’ experience volunteering and supporting the Western Australian sports industry in various capacities, Wood-Kenney is a well-respected leader in her communities with strong beliefs in sport as a vehicle for learning and connection. With a passion for equity, inclusive leadership, inclusion and educating communities, she works in building pride and respect for First Nations’ culture and understanding impacts of history in all Western Australians.

Announcing the appointment, SportWest Chief Executive, Troy Kirkham stated “we are thrilled to have Sharon’s experienced and steady hands guiding the organisation as we start on this cultural learning journey. SportWest has a strong respect for First Nations’ culture and people, and sport has a pivotal role to play in creating the space for these genuine connections in cultures to flourish.”

Wood-Kenney was inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame in 2020 in the Sports Category for impacts across a range of sports leadership coaching, including but not limited to founding the Djinda Falcons Sports Education and Leadership Programs.

Having started in football she has since branched out to being founder and chair of the Djinda Bridiya Wellbeing Australian Aboriginal Corporation with a range of wellbeing leadership programs for youth, women and families.

Looking forward to her new role, Wood-Kenney commented “I am so grateful to be working alongside ‘good humans’ with the team at SportWest.

“We aim to create innovative, inclusive training opportunities designed to create positive cultural shift and strive for equity. I look forward to working closely with SportWest so they can leave behind an authentic positive legacy.”

SportWest Cultural Navigation Advisory Group – Expressions of Interest
As an extension to this announcement and one of the first steps on its journey to being more connected and collaborative sporting future, SportWest is inviting members to submit expressions of interest to join the inaugural Cultural Navigation Advisory Group.

Click here for details of the group and expectations on the SportWest Website.

Image: Sharon Wood-Kenney (centre) with SportWest Chair Liam Twigger and former AFL coach John Worsfold at the True Sport Conference on 11th June 2024. Credit: SportWest.

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