PREMIERSHIP stars Shaun Burgoyne and Mathew Stokes have been named as members of the first AFL Indigenous Talent Advisory Committee, which will focus on growing the cultural awareness around Indigenous draft prospects.
The Hawthorn midfielder and Geelong forward are among 12 people on the committee, formed from a cross-section of the football industry and announced to AFL clubs this week.
Former Sydney Swans great Michael O'Loughlin, ex-Melbourne speedster Aaron Davey, and the AFL's head of diversity Jason Mifsud are in the group, along with club personnel Jason McCartney (Western Bulldogs list manager) and Craig Vozzo (West Coast football manager).
AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan, Academies development manager Michael Ablett, NAB AFL Academy head coach Brenton Sanderson and special projects manager Tristan Salter are also on the committee, alongside AFL Victoria's Indigenous programs manager Aaron Clark.
The formation of the committee comes after a recommendation during last year's talent review, with the widely experienced group to commence in April.
They will focus on Indigenous engagement, preparation and player retention.
The committee will closely analyse the structures, programs and rules supporting Indigenous talent, including cultural awareness, mentoring and tailored individual development plans.
The announcement follows the Indigenous talent symposium held at the opening of the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre in Darwin last weekend.
Davey and Sheehan attended the conference alongside representatives from seven AFL clubs in a bid to improve opportunities for Indigenous youngsters from the Northern Territory and other regions across the country.
Statistics from an ongoing Griffith University study showed over the past 18 years metropolitan Victoria had the most players drafted each year of any region, accounting for 25 draftees on average.
In terms of AFL draftees per 1000 players participating in the sport, metropolitan Victoria ranked first with 16.15 players picked each year by an AFL club.
The figures showed the next most prominent group in that category was Indigenous players, with a talent yield of 15.2 in every 1000 participants. On average there have been nearly 10 Indigenous players drafted annually over the past 18 years.
There are 72 Indigenous players on AFL lists in 2015, an increase on the 68 from last year. There were 88 Indigenous players in the game in 2010.
Retaining Indigenous talent was a talking point at last year's talent review involving clubs, the AFL and state bodies. In a study of club figures, 70 per cent surveyed thought the AFL should work more intensely at an earlier age with those from diverse backgrounds.
The committee will continue to monitor the Flying Boomerangs program and Kickstart Championships, viewed as important parts of the AFL's diversity pathway.
