THE AFL on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to recognising, welcoming, understanding and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities by launching its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

The Innovate RAP has been formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and aims to build upon the AFL’s commitment to making its contribution to addressing racism and inequality across society and improving relationships and engagement with and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

After launching its inaugural RAP in 2014, the AFL’s latest edition has been developed with deep commitment and collaboration from both internal and external stakeholders represented on the AFL’s RAP working group and supported by the AFL‘s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council. 

The document is aligned to the Enhanced Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Strategy 2018 and the Findings and Recommendations of the 2020 Rule 35 Review - now known as the Peek Rule.

The AFL’s strategic intent for the RAP is to grow and improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all areas of the game by: 

  1. Using the AFL’s reach to proactively promote our reconciliation message.
  2. Drive equality, respect and open the doors to opportunities on and off field.
  3. Build on the strengths of our partnerships internally and externally to maximise growth of these efforts across our industry.
  4. Challenging negative perspectives of people towards First People’s while influencing positive change and working to eradicate discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  5. Creating and growing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the industry in all areas.

One of the key achievements of the AFL's inaugural RAP was the development of the AFL’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council.

The work of the AFL’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council has become further defined and has driven a renewed Enhanced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy.

Some highlights from the strategy implementation include: 

  • Increased participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent in broadcasting of our game on television and radio.
  • A ground-breaking partnership with NITV creating Yokayi Footy – a show about Aussie Rules Football hosted and produced by First Nations people.
  • Early stages of trialling a coaching program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coaches.
  • A review of the AFL Vilification Rule (The Peek Rule) which in implementation is designed to address racism and discrimination in all of its forms more effectively at all levels of the game.
  • Nicky Winmar statue in partnership with the Western Australian Government
  • The first appointment of an Aboriginal person on the AFL Tribunal – Mr Peter Matera.
  • The appointment of the first Aboriginal person elected to the AFL Commission – Professor Helen Milroy. Commissioner Helen Milroy, a founding member and Co-Chair of the AFL Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council, joined the Commission in March 2019.

AFL Executive General Manager Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch said the AFL understands the leadership role it plays in the community.

“Whether we like it or not, sport has the power to put racism on the agenda,” Ms Hosch said.

“As Australia’s premier sporting code, we have an important role to play in addressing racism and inequality across society and to improve relationships with and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“Our vision is that the AFL community will be known as a place where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are respected and celebrated in the game and have pathways to successfully and equitably participate at all levels, not only in our game, but in a reconciled Australia.

“We will continue, through our people, our programs, our leadership responsibilities and our work, to ensure all who follow our game know where we stand on equality for First Peoples demonstrating our commitment to increase opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.  And importantly we will continue our learning as a code to make this possible.”

To view the AFL’s Innovate RAP click here