Personal Score: Sport, Culture, Identity

Judges' comments

A masterful exploration of the story of sport in Australia and how it is experienced by First Nations communities. Ellen van Neerven examines the intersectional currents of race, class, sexuality, gender presentation and mental health in experiences of belonging and exclusion on the western sporting field, while paying homage to the role of ancient Indigenous sporting practices and games in community building and physical expression.

In this original and incisive work, examining not only western and First Nations concepts of fair play, sportsmanship, competition and community, van Neerven weaves together rigorous research, experimental forms and personal reflection to paint a historical and intimate portrait of their own experiences with sport, nation and identity. Confronting the racism and discrimination experienced by minority players on the field as emblematic of wider power dynamics in the relationship between black and white Australia off the field, Personal Score is an ambitious and sweeping interrogation of both the joys of sport and the politics of play.