Meet volleyball extraordinaire and proud Indigenous woman Taliqua Clancy

During National Reconciliation Week 2021 we’re shining a spotlight on volleyball legend Taliqua Clancy.

Taliqua was the first Indigenous Australian to compete in Olympic beach volleyball when she made her debut at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

She came from humble beginnings, growing up in the rural Queensland town of Kingaroy, more than 200 kilometres away from the nearest beach. Sport was in Taliqua’s blood from a young age. She tried her hand in almost every sport available to her before finding indoor volleyball in high school.

At 15 years of age, she was scouted for beach volleyball and moved to Brisbane on a scholarship to the Queensland Academy of Sport.

Taliqua recently returned from a World Cup Tour in Cancun, Mexico where she and her playing partner, Mariafe Artacho De Solar, defeated both the number one and two ranked teams.

Taliqua took the time to share with us her views on the importance of Reconciliation Week.

What does Reconciliation Week mean to you?

It's an important time that we all come together and take that step forward. Stepping forward and learning together is the most important part of Reconciliation Week.

Why do you think it is important for Queenslanders to play a role in Reconciliation?

It's a part of our history and Australian history, I think we have to acknowledge it and go back to where it all began.

How can Queenslanders support Reconciliation and positive change?

It's about getting involved with all communities, there's a lot of great conversations and events so it's important to engage in them and be part of reconciliation week.