Thanks mum: Taliqua Clancy on the special bond between mother and daughter which led to her making Olympic history in Rio
Taliqua Clancy’s mother was just 17 when she had her and as a single parent in country Queensland did everything to encourage her daughter to chase her dream. Listen to her inspiring story on the Black Australia Podcast.
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Taliqua Clancy’s mother was just 17 when she had her and as a single parent in country Queensland did everything to encourage her daughter to chase her dream.
Despite growing up in Kingaroy, 200km from the nearest coastline, Clancy pursued a beach volleyball career which has now taken her all over the world.
And in Rio in 2016 – 16 years after her green and gold dream was born watching Cathy Freeman on TV in Sydney – Clancy became the first indigenous beach volleyballer to represent Australia at the Olympics.
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Now having medalled at last year’s world championships with Mariafe Aartacho del Solar, they are not only eyeing the Tokyo Games this year but a spot on the podium.
Clancy said her mother Shannon’s selflessness when she was at school and the support of her grandparents who she calls “mum and dad” gave her every opportunity to succeed.
“I love her (mum) so much and my whole family, they gave me everything,” Clancy said.
“I think that’s more of a blessing from having my mum have me so young, she gave me everything and I think that’s why she probably pushed me into doing what I love.
“Taking me (away) on weekends, driving me everywhere, that’s a big part of where I got to.
“My first sport was swimming, then soccer, netball and ended up playing volleyball which was the first time it was introduced to me on the hard court in Grade 8.
“That took me to the Queensland Academy of Sport where I was introduced to beach volleyball and it definitely wasn’t love at first sight, I couldn’t stand it, I hated every minute of it, but it opened this amazing pathway to the Olympics and travelling on the world tour.”
Clancy’s grandfather was raised on Eidsvold Station in regional Queensland which she says is where she has learnt her work ethic.
“I think through all of the struggles they’ve been through they’ve given me the best life they could, and they’re very proud Aboriginal people and have definitely instilled that in me as well,” she said.
“It’s super important to represent my people, I’m so proud of my culture and who I am.”
The 27-year-old was just eight when she watched Freeman win 400m gold at the Sydney Olympics but says the night was even more memorable because her cousin won a free McDonald’s meal as part of a promotion.
“I always knew then that I wanted to be an Olympian but if you told me it would be in beach volleyball I would have said you’re crazy,” she said.
“I didn’t even know what the sport was back then.”
“But we were sitting in the loungeroom and she (Freeman) won, and we got a free Macca’s meal after that and we thought this is so good.”
Clancy proudly displays the Aboriginal flag tattooed on her wrist and says she has been on a journey of self-discovery as she learns more about her heritage – including the significance of Australia Day for her people.
“I feel like coming down here (to Adelaide) has given me a broad horizon of it (culture),” she said.
“I didn’t know that language was still alive (in Aboriginal communities) and in SA and the NT it’s so alive.
“Honestly I was so blind to it (Australia Day) when I was younger, and I’m a bit disappointed in myself, but it’s my learning and my journey and my perspective has changed dramatically.”
Originally published as Thanks mum: Taliqua Clancy on the special bond between mother and daughter which led to her making Olympic history in Rio