The Australian Football League has this week welcomed AFL Club Indigenous Player Development Managers (IPDMs), hosting the newly appointed staff at Marvel Stadium across two days.
Last year, the AFL announced it had mandated the appointment of an Indigenous Player Development Manager (IPDM) at each AFL Club to ensure the development of Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander players is supported through culturally informed practices. The role of an IPDM also includes building cultural capability for all players and those across AFL and AFLW football departments.
The IPDMs, representing 15 of 18 Clubs, participated in two days of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Training as part of the industry's ongoing commitment to player wellbeing and cultural safety.
As part of this, the AFL is pleased to announce it has partnered with the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association (AIPA), the national body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychologists in Australia, strengthening its commitment to further supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AFL and AFLW players and staff.
AFL Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch welcomed the Indigenous Player Development Managers and the partnership with AIPA.
"On behalf of the AFL, we welcome each Indigenous PDM to an important role that includes supporting the cultural, educational, vocational, and holistic wellbeing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players in both the men's and women's competitions, while contributing more broadly to the cultural safety of AFL clubs and the sector as a whole through a greater investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership," Ms. Hosch said.
"The wellbeing of everyone in our game remains our highest priority and as more Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people enter the AFL industry in different roles – as players, coaches, umpires, and administrators – it is paramount that our industry is culturally safe and inclusive."
Ms. Hosch welcomed the partnership with AIPA – who have provided wellbeing services to AFL and AFLW players and staff since 2019 – and said the league would continue to focus on improving cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at the elite level.
"Through this partnership, AIPA are providing advice to the AFL regarding culturally appropriate social and emotional wellbeing practices, principles, and actions to further support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the game.
"We acknowledge the importance of connection to culture when considering the social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous players and staff and look forward to continuing to learn from AIPA's experts to help us best support our people."
Chair of the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association (AIPA) Vanessa Edwige said:
"AIPA is excited to partner with the AFL to provide culturally responsive support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and staff. We look forward to our continued work with the AFL through the provision of culturally safe support and advice to inform their social and emotional wellbeing practices."
AFL Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Dr Kate Hall said:
"AIPA members have provided social and emotional wellbeing support to our players and staff over the course of the past two seasons and their generous contribution to the AFL Industry Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy was invaluable," Dr Hall said.
"Through our relationship with AIPA, our players and staff have direct access to psychologists with a deep cultural understanding to ensure our industry provides culturally responsive social and emotional wellbeing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and staff."
About Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association
AIPA is the national body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychologists in Australia.
AIPA is committed to improving the social and emotional well-being and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by leading the change required to deliver equitable, accessible, sustainable, timely and culturally competent psychological care which respects and promotes their cultural integrity.
About AFL Mental Health and Wellbeing
The industry mental health steering committee, chaired by AFL Commissioner Professor Helen Milroy, has guided the AFL mental health team's actions across the past two years with a focus on how to best support the industry throughout seasons impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. More information relating to AFL Mental Health and Wellbeing can be found here.