Indigenous Sport Month: Olympian Brooke Peris just wants to inspire others to follow their dreams

Her cousin became the first Aboriginal to win an Olympic gold medal. Now Brooke Peris follows in her footsteps, but to do so, there’s one thing she has to remember in Tokyo.

Brooke Peris of the Hockeyroos poses for a photo wearing the newly unveiled playing kit during a media opportunity at Kings Park in Perth, Thursday, February 27, 2020. The kit was designed and painted by Aboriginal, dual Olympian, gold medallist and former Hockeyroo and Federal Senator Nova Peris. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright) NO ARCHIVING

Baring the famous surname, Brook Peris was destined to follow in the footsteps of her cousin Nova Peris given her competitive nature as a child.

She took up hockey aged just four, but her earliest memories also involve playing basketball with her cousins until the light had disappeared from the sky and dinner had been taken off the table.

The 28-year-old from Darwin was part of the Australian women’s hockey team that finished sixth at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and has been selected again for the Tokyo Games as the Hockeyroos prepare to medal — as long as she remembers her uniform.

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Brooke Peris at the announcement of the Australian field hockey team for the Tokyo Olympics last month.

What Indigenous Nation/s are you connected with?

“My grandmother was born at Moola Bulla Station in Western Australia and is a Kidiji woman. I am a member of the Native Title of the Moola Bulla Station. My grandfather was born in Broome and is a Jaru man. I am a member of the Ngarrawanji Native.”

What does your heritage/culture mean to you?

“It’s who I am and where I come from. I feel in my heart, soul and spirit the connection between my land and family. Every time I fly back, I know I’m home.”

My favourite custom from my heritage is …

“Storytelling, song, and dance.”

Something not many people know about me is …

“I am a sucker for love stories.”

Brooke Peris has forgotten her uniform three times for an international match.

My earliest memory is …

“We had a basketball ring on our driveway which was close to the street. I was playing basketball with my cousins on the street during the rain, we all got so competitive we skipped dinner until there was a winner.”

One piece of advice I would give my teenage self …

“Take more photos to capture the memories I may have forgotten because I had a great childhood.”

The best advice I was ever given …

“Too many to pick from but ‘be true to yourself’.”

If I wasn’t in sport I would be …

“A primary school teacher or business owner of a café.”

A common misconception made about me is …

“That I’m Italian.”

When I cop abuse I …

“Talk to my dog and let it go, or if it is really horrible I cry myself to sleep and when I wake up I leave it behind me.”

When people see me I hope they think …

“A respectful, genuine, kind person who cares about people, places and animals.”

Family means …

“Everything to me.”

Brooke Peris in the kit designed and painted by dual Olympian, gold medallist and former Hockeyroo and Federal Senator Nova Peris.

A word or phrase I use too much …

“Meh, Nah, Yeah nah, Hmmm.”

My weird sporting superstition is …

“I don’t have a superstition but I have forgotten my uniform three times for an international match. I forgot my playing shoes about five times and I don’t like being on my phone so I have left my phone overnight in our change rooms and didn’t pick it up until the following afternoon.”

My sporting hero is …

“Cathy Freeman and Nova Peris.”

Which sporting moment carried the most significance for you?

“Cathy Freeman winning gold in the 400m in Sydney.”

What’s it’s like being an Indigenous athlete today?

“I feel proud to represent my people for Australia. I hope I can make a difference to inspire anyone to continue to chase their dreams, not just to be an athlete but to be themselves.”

Brooke Peris and her famous cousin Nova.

Who put you on your pathway?

“I put myself on my own pathway but my family, friends, boyfriend, teammates, work friends, other athletes from different sports — they have influenced the direction of that path, when I have been successful and when I haven’t.

“I have learnt from people’s personal stores, their actions, heartbreak and disappointment but have laughed, had tears of joy, enjoyment of competitive sports, and smiled every day because of the people I surround myself with. I am only as good as the people I put around me. My success is their success.”

Who is your inspiration?

The women I work with every day inspire me to be better, humble, and grateful for the opportunity to do what I get to do every day.”

What is the key priority to improve player and leadership opportunities for the next generation of Indigenous athletes?

“If you want something, the only person standing in your way is you. Let your light shine as bright as you want it.”

Originally published as Indigenous Sport Month: Olympian Brooke Peris just wants to inspire others to follow their dreams