Aussie Olympian urges state to break school ban of her sport

"I just want to go out there and do my best and really showcase what Australia has on the world stage and also do Australians proud," the 36-year-old said.

Breaking will make its debut in the Paris Olympics in July 2024 after its success at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.

The Sydney Olympian is facing another battle closer to home - to lift a ban on breaking in NSW public schools.

"I was pretty surprised when I found out because I've never hurt myself seriously," Dr Gunn said.

Dr Rachael Gunn, a lecturer at Macquarie University discovered the ban whilst conducting her PhD research on the history of breaking in Sydney and NSW.

NSW is the only state or territory to specifically ban breaking in public schools.

ACT has a ban in place for head spins but not for the sport itself.

The NSW Department of Education created the ban in 1999 due to "the assessed level of risk involved".

Other banned activities include: tobogganing, rodeo, rock fishing, quad biking, hang gliding, bungee jumping, boxing, other 'one-on-one' combat sports, and several gymnastic skills including somersaults.

"Based on safety advice, break dancing is not currently offered due to the complexity and risk of some of the skills it involves," a NSW Department of Education spokesperson said.

"Sporting activities are only endorsed by the Department after they have undergone a thorough risk and safety assessment and have been deemed suitable for schools."

The top-ranked B-girl in Australia believes the decision is likely linked to a negative stigma around hip-hop culture.

"There is a lot of resistance and a lot of negativity around hip hop culture in NSW," she said

"We can see those sorts of reactions in the responses to OneFour [a rapper group] out of Mount Druitt... and last year, they tried to ban rap music at the Sydney Royal Easter Show."

Professional dancer Hideo Shinokubo teaches breaking to children as young as four in his northern Sydney break and hip hop dance school.

He says children practice on soft mats and start by learning steps to move their bodies and listen to music.

"There's no crazy upside down moves straight away for kids," the dance instructor at Break Juku Sydney said.

"This is a very beautiful dance for kids to do...and this is a great culture to connect with other dancers..."

Mr Shinokubo has taught over 500 children and organises adult and kids breaking battles for Ryugi Battles.

Banning the sport in an entire space is a "disservice" to the country, Dr Gunn said.

"It's important for me that breaking is not only accessible to the kids that can afford to go to studios," she said.

The sport provides a mode for fitness, self-expression, a community and an outlet for children, she said.

Dr Gunn believes there are fewer risks involved in breaking than in other sports.

"You're in control of your body the whole time, you're also not falling from a great height, you're not up on a balance beam or you're not being thrown up in the air on ice."

Children who eagerly watch the Olympics and attempt the sport may be at greater risk if guidance isn't available, says Dr Gunn.

"We have a real chance here to build a really strong next generation."