Breaking down barriers for Indigenous athletes in Olympic and Paralympic sports

For Isaac Maynard, sport is more than competition, it’s a pathway to opportunity, representation, and change.

As a proud Worimi man raised on Wiradjuri land in central New South Wales, Isaac – a QAS Research and Innovation Scholar, is using his PhD research and his casual role in the YouFor2032 Talent Team to identify, develop, and empower more Indigenous athletes to compete on the world stage.

The YouFor2032 program is creating exciting opportunities for young athletes across Queensland and there’s a responsibility to ensure more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth are part of that journey.

Isaac’s PhD research through Bond University is exploring how to strengthen access, cultural safety, and long-term participation for Indigenous athletes in Olympic and Paralympic sports. His work will help shape more inclusive talent pathways and support greater Indigenous representation on the road to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

“Through Isaac’s research, we hope to bring a crucial lens to how we design and deliver talent pathways,” the QAS noted. “His PhD gives us the opportunity to listen, learn and evolve.”

The PhD takes a community-driven approach, integrating Indigenous philosophies to engage stakeholders and athletes across Queensland.

“The long-term goal? To see more Indigenous athletes not only engaging with high-performance sport but thriving in it – on their own terms,” said Isaac.

Isaac is a QAS Research and Innovation Scholar and a PhD Candidate with Bond University.