Dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes will be the inaugural Chair of the Indigenous Players Advisory Board while Graham Johncock (Adelaide), Roger Hayden (Fremantle), Aaron Davey (Melbourne), Chance Bateman (Hawthorn), Nathan Lovett-Murray (Essendon) and Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn) will join Clarke as other members of the Board.
“I think it’s a great initiative and I’m really looking forward to being involved,” Clarke said.
The idea for an Indigenous Players Advisory Board was generated by players at this years’ Indigenous Camp in Sydney.
“I missed the camp in Sydney because of my knee, but I got a call from the AFLPA afterwards to discuss the idea,” Clarke said.
“Because there are so many Indigenous players in the AFL at the moment, we felt there was definite value in setting up an advisory board to help streamline a number of issues with the AFLPA.”
“We’re hoping it helps a number of Indigenous players feel more comfortable about approaching the AFLPA and using their services.”
The Board will provide guidance to the Players’ Association on the development and implementation of programs and support services available to Indigenous Players throughout their AFL career.
The AFL Players’ Association’s Indigenous and Multicultural Manager, Nadia Taib, said players were enthusiastic about the opportunities this Board will present for the 11 per cent of elite footballers who are Indigenous.
“Members of the Advisory Board will use their wealth of experience and knowledge to seek feedback from their peers and to influence change for all Indigenous Players,” said Taib.
“Significantly, they have been elected by their peers.”
With 14 nominations lodged, a national election took place to select the eight members. Four of those players represent the Victorian clubs, plus one each from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
