Our Business

The Wests Tigers Rugby League Club competes A number of programs in the community strategy A combined initiative of the Canberra Raiders, Selected year 10, 11 and 12 students from The club uses this day to display the cultures, Throughout the the history of this club, there in the National Rugby League (NRL) competition. involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Cronulla participating schools conduct a one-on-one tradition and history of the First Peoples Of have been over 25 Aboriginal and Torres Strait The club was formed in 2000 following the merger peoples within the Wests Tigers catchment Sharks, Melbourne Storm, Newcastle Knights, profiling session with their Project Officer to build Australia and involves as many different commu- Islander peoples represent the Wests Tigers, of two foundation clubs, the Western Suburbs regions but the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers, St George Career Development Plans focussed on career nity groups as possible. Another important which shows a history and connection with First Magpies and the Balmain Tigers. In 2005, the Islander pillar includes programs specifically Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Roosters, Wests aspirations and personal goals. element of this day is to have a combination of Australian players, some of which we will ask to Wests Tigers claimed their first premiership, designed for the First Peoples of Australia. Tigers, the Australian Government’s Department Elders and young leaders who combine to create be part of the RAP Advisory Group. following a combined 15 premierships won by One such program in this pillar is the School 2 of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the National The other key element to this pillar is the Wests a big celebration and recognition of Aboriginal Balmain and Wests during their time in the Work Program that the club supports Rugby League; S2W provides young Indigenous Tigers Tackle Truancy program which is being and Torres Strait Islander culture. The club plans The Wests Tigers have a very wide geographical competition. Whilst rugby league remains the significantly. We provide work experience, Australians with work experience, mentoring and developed to help encourage students to stay in to further expand this and be the benchmark of reach including the Southern Highlands of New core business and purpose of the Wests Tigers, opportunities and celebrate the individual leadership opportunities to ensure they school and reduce truancy rates in the rural the NRL for this. South Wales which form part of the Group 6 there is a significant importance placed on success of the participants to help the program successfully complete school and transition into region of Walgett, which has a very high Competition, the Campbelltown region, Liverpool community by the club who recognises the power maintain the 97% success rate of students further study, training or meaningful employment. population of First Peoples of Australia. This Another important element in this community as well as the Concord, Balmain and Leichhardt of connecting with those that they come into graduating high school to further study or program includes education around key areas strategy is the partnerships and connections with areas. In addition to this, the club also in 2015 contact with. employment. The connection we have with this The NRL and NRL Clubs joined forces to deliver such as nutrition and health, cultural activities a number of charity organisations including and 2016 performed Community Carnivals in the program is a powerful one which enables the S2W Program to address the Australian and also provides students with incentives and beyondblue, White Ribbon, PCYC, Soldier On Coffs Harbour region and is exploring other The vision statement of the Wests Tigers is students to achieve their goals at school and Government’s key ‘Closing the Gap’ targets for opportunities that they would not otherwise have and Exodus. The Wests Tigers are, and will areas in regional Australia as well as internation- Enriching the Lives of our Community and the beyond. Indigenous students. They are: access to. It is important that this is a whole of continue to, work with these charities on ally, with the goal of becoming a borderless club. club has developed a comprehensive community community initiative for the town so other key programs specific to First Peoples of Australia to program which involves programs focusing on six The School To Work Program (S2W) is an stakeholders include the Aboriginal Medical make a positive impact. • to halve the gap for Indigenous students in key pillars: education and employment program that utilises Services. year 12 equivalent attainment by 2020; and • Education the positive profile of the game of Rugby League Furthermore, combining the community program In addition to the club’s Vision Statement, the • to halve the gap in employment outcomes • Multicultural to support and encourage young Indigenous with big events is something that the club takes club has set out three key values, which will between Indigenous and non-Indigenous • Grass Roots Australians to stay at school, get a job, and be a great pride in. This is particularly relevant to continue to be driven through all elements of the legend for themselves, their families and their Australians within a decade. business including this RAP. The three values of • Healthy Living Indigenous Round where the Wests Tigers communities. Respect, Team and Excellence are values that • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Supported by community leaders, the Rugby showcase the contribution of Aboriginal And are instilled in all staff and often recognised • Women League family and everyday ‘local legends’ who Torres Strait Islander peoples to not only the when they are displayed or conversely, when young Indigenous Australians respect and aspire game of rugby league but to Australian culture they are lacking. to be like, the S2W program advocates the and society as a whole. Currently, the Wests Tigers employs 141 staff, importance of education, training and inclusive of commercial staff, coaching staff and employment for success. players from the three grades being NRL, NSW Cup and National Youth Competitions. Over three percent of this staff (4) are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.

Wests Tigers Rugby League Football Club Reconciliation Action Plan 2017 - 2019 10 Wests Tigers Rugby League Football Club Reconciliation Action Plan 2017 - 2019 11