Indigenous Sport Month: How dance helped Geelong rising star Quinton Narkle find his feet

Quinton Narkle and Shai Bolton toured the world showcasing the beauty of Indigenous dance, now they’re pulling all the right moves on the AFL stage. Read his Q&A here.

Quinton Narkle has become one of the Cats' key men.

Traditional Aboriginal dancing will always remain close to Quinton Narkle’s heart and he can still recall his first corroboree like it was yesterday.

But while Narkle says Indigenous dancing sits high in his favourite customs, the young Cat reveals he has more than one string to his bow.

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What Indigenous Nation/s are you connected with?

My language groups are the Whadjuk and Ballardong skin groups, that is in the Noongar region in the southwest part of WA.

What does your heritage/culture mean to you?

It means a lot, I grew up dancing at school and my grandfather was pretty strong on making sure that we kept our culture pretty strong. It‘s obviously not as strong as some more remote places up north but you’ll find in a lot of the city regions a lot of indigenous people are still trying to get their culture back.

Quinton Narkle was taken pick No. 60 in the 2016 draft but he has the talent to form the next midfield era at the Cats.

My favourite custom from my heritage is …

Dancing was probably the biggest thing especially through school. I went to school at Wesley College in Perth, we had a program there for the indigenous students and we called ourselves the “Moorditj Mob” which was pretty cool. We did a lot of dancing around Perth at certain events and got to travel to Hawaii. Shai Bolton and I went to Hawaii together and did a few dances over there which was cool.

Something not many people know about me is …

I would say I do a bit of painting and drawing but I think people are onto that. I don‘t think many people would know that I play the didgeridoo. It took me two to three months to pick up the basics and from there I kept learning. That was through school and I remember taking one back to the boarding house and every day just doing it for 15 minutes and eventually I just picked it up. My older brother helped me out a lot as well.

Quinton Narkle celebrates a victory with Joel Selwood.

Narkle has become something of a cult hero.

My earliest memory is …

I still remember my first dance like it was yesterday. I would have been four or five years old and we went to this event and my uncle just grabbed me and chucked me in, it was like follow the leader really. That is how we do it, younger cousins and nephews who watch us and once they are walking that means they‘re ready to dance.

One piece of advice I would give my teenage self …

I wish I had tried harder at school. At the time I was just focusing so much on football. If I talk to my nieces and nephews right now I tell them I‘d prefer to be smart than a good athlete.

The best advice I was ever given …

My mum and grandfather they always remind me to not forget where I came from. My family are really big on being close, I have got a big family and we are all really really close.

If I wasn‘t in sport I would be …

Honestly I have no clue. Maybe something to do with design, drawing and art.

A common misconception made about me is …

Right now my hair is dyed but my natural hair colour is blonde. Everyone thinks I dye my hair but only recently have I put a little bit of colour in. I had never done it before.

When I cop abuse I …

I haven‘t copped it much recently. I remember as a kid words got thrown around quite a bit. There weren’t many indigenous kids at my school, there was probably three or four. I remember getting into a bit of trouble for acting in an inappropriate way, just got a bit aggressive. I try to avoid it but point it out. I don’t really let them get a reaction out of me that makes me look bad but I’ll definitely point it out if it is the right thing to do.

Narkle takes his greatest inspiration from this mum.

When people see me I hope they think …

I hope they don‘t think I’m a bad person.

Family means …

Everything. Just on my mum‘s side I have 36 first cousins. It was my nephew’s first birthday this week and his house was just filled with all of my family, they did Face Time with me and it was pretty crazy. My mum is one of eight. I’m one of four but then my Dad has four others as well, they are like my brother and sisters so I’m one of eight really.

A word or phrase I use too much …

I wouldn‘t have a clue to be honest.

My weird sporting superstition is …

I don‘t have any superstitions. Maybe a few years ago I used to think about my routine and if I played well in certain boots but I’ve sort of gone away from it in the last year or so. Thinking too much is not good.

My sporting hero is …

I‘m pretty close with Leon Davis, he is my mum’s cousin and I grew up watching him a lot. He keeps in contact every now and then, if playing some good footy he lets me know.

Narkle says the Black Lives Matter movement has been especially important.

Which sporting moment carried the most significance for you?

I think the Black Lives Matter protest. I remember going to the club and talking them saying we should get behind it and support it. That was moving and see it go across the whole competition.

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

It‘s better I’m guessing, than what it used to be. You look at Eddie Betts and the way he talks about when he first got there and what happened with Adam Goodes. I think they do a bit better of a job looking after you nowadays. If something bad happens the AFL have been pretty good at supporting us.

Have you encountered racism or unconscious bias against you in your career?

No I haven‘t had that and hopefully I don’t have to experience that.

How do we improve support networks for Indigenous athletes coming through the ranks of professional sport?

We‘ve got a lot of indigenous kids coming from very different backgrounds to others. What really helped me was having Mathew Stokes here, he connected with us and having an indigenous mentor, I know Richmond have Xavier Clarke there, that helps out a lot. Having someone who has been through the system and knows everything that has gone on, that really helps every indigenous kid with their footy, on field and off.

Reflections of your career highlights …

It has been a very short career so far, not too many highlights yet.

Who put you on your pathway …

My mum, my pop and my two brothers. My brother got a full scholarship to Wesley and that sort of set me up as well. I probably wouldn‘t be the same person if I didn’t go there, it made it easier for me.

Who is your inspiration …

My mum Sandra. My Dad and her split when I was six months old so it was just her and four kids. She‘s been there my whole life, she works hard and has been working in the mines the past 10 years. She is definitely my inspiration.

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

Getting people who have been through the system at clubs as they know how to help and know what the best thing to do is.

Originally published as Indigenous Sport Month: How dance helped Geelong rising star Quinton Narkle find his feet