The Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) is proud to announce the appointment of Mariah Williams OLY – a proud Wiradjuri woman and three-time Olympian – as our first ever Our Connection to Country Officer (OCTC). The appointment forms part of the Australian Sports Commission’s HP2032+ High Performance Sport Strategy, which calls for a more culturally safe, inclusive and athlete-centred high-performance system across Australia. This role marks a significant step in WAIS’s commitment to building an environment where First Nations culture is embedded meaningfully and respectfully, and where all athletes and staff can thrive.
Mariah represented Australia with the Hockeyroos at the Rio, Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games, and brings to WAIS a rare combination of elite sporting experience and deep cultural grounding. Her identity as a Wiradjuri woman has shaped every part of her journey. “Being a Wiradjuri woman means knowing where I come from and who I am,” she said. “My culture fuels my strength, my sense of belonging, and the attributes that allow me to shine as an athlete. When I step out onto the field, I’m not just representing myself. I’m representing my family, my culture, my community and my country.”
Her path through high-performance has not always been easy. Early in her career, she often felt unable to speak openly about culture or raise concerns. “There were definitely times where I didn’t feel comfortable enough to speak up,” she said. “Whether that was due to feeling culturally unsafe or simply not having the confidence yet, it shaped how I showed up in those environments. Over time, that has changed immensely. I now know who I am, where I’m from, and I’m proud of that – and I won’t hold back.”
Stepping into WAIS’s first Connection to Country Officer role is both personal and purposeful for Mariah. “Anyone who knows me can see how passionate and proud I am of my culture, so being able to bring that into this role feels incredibly special,” she said. “To me this role represents a positive step forward, not just for WAIS, but for reconciliation more broadly.”
WAIS Chief Executive Officer, Matt Fulton, said “we are thrilled to welcome Mariah to WAIS and feel incredibly fortunate to have someone of her calibre helping to shape our WAIS culture moving forward. Mariah’s appointment will allow our staff and athletes to build a deeper understanding of First Nation history and culture via a thoughtful and deliberate range of experiences, education programs, and support.
The opportunity to meaningfully explore the significance of events such as Australia Day, NAIDOC Week and reconciliation week will form important elements of the overall approach and serve to support the growth and learning of all staff and athletes.
Her leadership will help create an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes and staff feel culturally safe, respected and supported, while also providing all of WAIS the opportunity to learn from the world’s oldest continuing living culture. By embedding these perspectives into how we work every day, we will make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for everyone connected to WAIS.”
Mariah believes the timing is right for WAIS to lead in this space. In her first weeks in the role, she has already seen strong enthusiasm from staff. “So many colleagues have approached me to share how excited they are and to bring forward ideas. That shows there’s a genuine openness to learn, grow and be more inclusive.”
Her vision for cultural safety is grounded in respect, accountability and everyday behaviour. “Cultural safety means people feel respected, heard and valued, not having to explain or defend their identity,” she said. “It looks like environments where culture is acknowledged and embedded, not tokenistic, and where people are confident to ask questions and learn.”
Mariah hopes this work will uplift all athletes at WAIS. “I want Indigenous athletes to feel supported, uplifted, heard and seen,” she said. “For non-Indigenous athletes, I want them to feel trusted, educated and confident to advocate for Indigenous peoples. Indigenous culture is part of all of us, and if we want a united, reconciled future, we need to come together and embrace that shared responsibility.”
Looking ahead, she sees enormous opportunity for WAIS to embed First Nations culture across every part of high-performance sport – from staff education and athlete support to community engagement and talent pathways. “There is huge opportunity to give greater recognition to Indigenous athletes, especially those in regional and rural communities with local Elders’ support to inspire the next generation,” she said. Her long-term ambition is clear. “My goal is to lift the number of Indigenous athletes and staff within WAIS. When we look towards Brisbane 2032, I want to see more Indigenous athletes and staff not only at WAIS but representing Australia on the world stage.”
Mariah’s belief in the power of culture within sport was strengthened during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she experienced a profound sense of connection. “Paris was beyond special – it was the Olympics where I felt most connected to my culture,” she said. “Everywhere I looked, my culture was present and made me feel at home.” From Indigenous artwork on uniforms and walls, to language, to Indigenous support staff, to the Australian team’s yarning circle, culture was visible and alive.
One moment remains etched in her memory. “The most touching moment for me was carrying the Aboriginal flag alongside my Indigenous teammate Brooke Peris, with so many incredible Australian athletes surrounding us,” she said. “That is a moment I will cherish forever. It showed me that sport can be a powerful platform for connection and celebration.”
Mariah’s appointment signals a new chapter for WAIS – one grounded in respect, representation and long-term cultural change. Her leadership will help shape an environment where all athletes and staff feel they belong, and where First Nations culture is recognised as a strength that enriches high-performance sport.
