FOOTBALL’S INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT: STATE OF PLAY

A report by Professional Footballers Australia on behalf of John Moriarty Football Football’s Indigenous Engagement: State of Play 2012, FFA launcheditsfirstIndigenousFootballDevel teams. JohnMoriartywasannounced asPatron.In Torres StraitIslanderrepresentationinthenational Program includingtargetstohave 5% Aboriginal and announced a10-yearIndigenous FootballDevelopment past. In2009,FootballFederation Australia (FFA) Football haspursuedthisopportunityanddutyinthe reconciliation. communities andculturescontributetowards cultural institutionstopromoteinclusivityofIndigenous embraced theirresponsibilityassignificant Australian In addition,mostnationalsportorganisationshave inspirational rolemodels. to rewardingprofessionalcareers,inturndeveloping education andhealthoutcomes,provideapathway communities, sporthasthepowertoenhancesocial, of potentialsupporterstobeembraced.ForIndigenous there isapooloftalenttobetapped,andcommunity significant opportunityformutualbenefit.Forsports, nal and Torres StraitIslander Australians providesa Engagement betweenthemajorsportsand Aborigi INTRODUCTION - - to fulfilitsdutyactivatethatpower. in particular, andafailurebythecustodiansofoursport unite andupliftthosefromdisadvantaged backgrounds a failuretoeffectively tellthestoryoffootball’s powerto activities. The failuretosecurethisfundingrepresents ment fundingforFFA’s Indigenousfootballdevelopment This shiftinfocuscoincideswithareductiongovern Australians. football in Australia whichpracticallyignoresIndigenous Islander peopletoreleasinga20-yearstrategyfor “sport offirstchoice”for Aboriginaland Torres Strait years, theFFA wentfromstrivingtomakefootballthe sections outliningchallengesthegamefaces.Inthree word “Indigenous”appearsjusttwice,bothtimesunder Plan, its109-page2015-2035visiondocument,the assessed, atleastpublicly. InFFA’s WholeofFootball pursued andoutcomesoftheseplanswerenever Momentum hasbeenlost. The initiativeswerebarely talent andsocialdevelopmentoutcomes. tives acrossthethreepriorityareasofparticipation,elite opment Strategy:afive-yearplanwithambitiousobjec - - football’s Indigenousengagement. ball’s missedopportunity, andtocallforareignitionof progress beingmadebyothersports tohighlightfoot The purposeofthisdocumentis to benchmarkthe AFL clubhasitsownRAP. in place. The AFL hascompletedaRAP andnowevery and CricketallhaveaReconciliation Action Plan(RAP) The governingbodiesofRugbyLeague,Union making significantcollectiveprogress. that isnotenough.Meanwhile,othersportshavebeen passionate individualsdoinggreatworkinisolation.But dent organisationssuchasJohnMoriartyFootballand participation, thevoidhasbeenpartlyfilledbyindepen sponse totheinertiawithinfootballtowardsIndigenous In theabsenceofacoordinatedstrategy, andinre

- - - 2 RESEARCH APPROACH

To compare engagement and investment in Indigenous A sport’s engagement includes many subjective quali- Australia by different sports is not a straightforward ties that cannot be captured in a graph or chart, like the task. Each sport is operating at a different scale, with breadth and authenticity of its approach, its attitudes unique historic ‘starting points’ and structural differenc- and respect. So the intention of this document is to es to consider. Different sports make different informa- provide a fair and accurate high-level summary of each tion available regarding Indigenous participation and national sporting organisation’s strategies to engage representation, staffing and financial commitments. with, include and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Each sport has differently structured elite teams and Islander people. The interpretation of the data will be professional leagues. For these reasons, the scope for left to the reader. a direct side-by-side comparison of quantitative metrics is limited. In this spirit, the stories of Indigenous athletes have been included throughout these pages to further illus- It is also not in the scope of this document to provide an trate the benefits of engagement at a human level and exhaustive account of every last program and initiative highlight the missed opportunities on both sides. undertaken across each sport. It should be noted that

State of Play there is commendable work being done at a state and regional level in the various sports, but from a cursory analysis, this is not at a scale to act in place of a struc- tured national approach.

Football’s Indigenous Engagement: Football’s 3 WHAT IS A RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN?

According to the Reconciliation Australia website, a the vision is crafted and lay out a detailed roadmap of RAP “provides a framework for organisations to support desired outcomes and specific actions, timeframes and the national reconciliation movement”. For workplac- responsibilities. es, a RAP is “a strategic document that supports an organisation’s business plan” which “includes practical RAPs focus on building relationships, respect and op- actions that will drive an organisation’s contribution to portunities. In a sports context, that means looking be- reconciliation both internally and in the communities in yond representation targets and considering structures which it operates”. that include an Indigenous voice in decision-making, for example, or cultural education for non-Indigenous staff There are four types of RAP – Reflect, Innovate, and the broader fanbase. Stretch, Elevate – to cater to organisations at different stages of their reconciliation journey. More than 500 A RAP is not a prerequisite for an organisation to take organisations across Australia have a RAP. a proactive and effective approach to Aboriginal and State of Play Torres Strait Islander engagement. But since the other RAPs are both visionary and practical. They articulate major national sporting bodies have used RAPs to un- an organisation’s desire to engage with and contribute derpin their strategies, it makes to cover them in detail to Indigenous Australia in an authentic and meaningful for the purpose of this cross-code comparison. way. They illustrate the collaborative process by which

Football’s Indigenous Engagement: Football’s 4 Football’s Indigenous Engagement: State of Play FOOTBALL SNAPSHOT: 143 426 TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER AS IDENTIFY OF TOTAL PARTICIPANTS 40,493 3.3

% ABORGINAL REFEREES COACHES REGISTERED

OR

PARTICIPANTS INDIGENOUS PANTS INDIGENOUS PARTICI OF CLUB-BASED 63.8 PLAY INNSW INDIGENOUS AS IDENTIFY INDIGENOUS AS IDENTIFY

%

- IN 2017 IN 5 Football’s Indigenous Engagement: State of Play ments, buttoimagineasportand anationenriched ignore ordiminishsuchheroesand theirachieve engagement withIndigenous Australia isnotto Any admissionthatfootballcando betterinits models andactivistsintheircommunities. ball hasenhancedtheseplayers’ standingasrole and opportunitiesforeachofthem.Inaddition,foot football hasbeenagatewaytonewexperiences achieved greaterthingsfortheirinvolvement,while Australia. Their clubs andnationalteamshave for mutualbenefitbetweenfootballandIndigenous These andotherplayersembodytheopportunity the nextchapter. as JadaWhymanandShayEvanspromisetowrite ranks of Aboriginal Socceroos.Emergingstarssuch their A-League clubstosuccess and joinedthe as JadeNorthand Travis Doddhavecaptained Williams andKyahSimon.Indigenousplayerssuch Harry Williamstothemodern-dayheroicsofLydia ing efforts ofCharliePerkins,JohnMoriartyand thread throughthegame’s historyfromthepioneer storied contributionto Australian football,weavinga Indigenous Australians havemadealongand - - - these targetswerenotasspecific asthosefoundin While theactionitemsandtimelines toachieve and professionalleaguesby5%. national teamsby10%andsenior representation inelitepathwayprogramsandyouth (25%) andreferees(5%),increasedIndigenous enous players(25%increasetargeted),coaches specific targetsforincreasedparticipationbyIndig titled FootballDreaming. This Strategycontained 2017 IndigenousFootballDevelopmentStrategy, to generateideaswhichwouldunderpinits2012- May 2011, FFA heldanIndigenousPlanning Forum cade ago,aroundthesametimeasothersports.In A structured,national approachfirstemergedade stagnation, andrenewal. could bedescribedinthreephases:emergence, The recenthistoryoffootball’s Indigenousjourney better. FFA has statedthatfootballcan,shouldandwilldo and Lydias. by five,ten,orfiftytimesasmanyCharlies,Jades

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• • investment, including: engagement, despitetheadmittedrelativelackof ganisation’s positiveintentionstowardsIndigenous FFA outlinedrecentactivitieswhichspeaktotheor Indigenous component. and FFA’s 20-yearstrategicplancontainingno without adedicatedIndigenouspageonitswebsite, the onlynationalsportingbodyofthoseanalysed This diversionoffocushasresultedinFFA being and NRL,whicharecomparedinthesepages. that itsrevenuesareafractionofthelikes AFL that itcanbetterfundtheseandotherpriorities, it shifteditsstrategicfocustogrowingrevenuesso In a submission to this report, the national body said financially challengingandultimatelyunsustainable. According toFFA, thesecommitmentsprovedtobe Reconciliation Action Plans,thiswasagoodstart. increase trainingopportunitieswith eliteclubs funding toexpandJMF’s activitiesand Logistical support foractivationsduringthe Logistical support JMFtoadvocatefor federal Partnering with - 6 Football’s Indigenous Engagement: State of Play next four-yearstrategiccycle. Reconciliation Action Planasaconsideration forits progress. FFA hasflaggedthecreationofitsfirst capacity-building phasedesigned tounderpinfuture relations functionhasbeencreated aspartofthis opment outcomes. A new, dedicatedgovernment with NGOsandgovernments,todrivesocialdevel channelled intoformingmeaningfulpartnerships engagement. Energyandresourceshavebeen renewed focusonIndigenousandmulticultural for losttime.Staff arebeingrepositionedwitha Moving forward,FFA isdeterminedtomakeup likelihood thanthebroaderparticipationbase. reported marginallyhighersatisfactionandretention In addition,itshowedIndigenousgrassrootsplayers • • • tours to the World Indigenous Nations Games Championships onships and Australian IndigenousFootball for theNationalIndigenousFootballChampi camp inBorroloolatoscouttalent JMF-led annualIndigenousFootballWeek Providing logistical and strategic support for andstrategic Providing logistical support andpromotional Providing logistical Matildas coach Alen StajcicattendingaJMF - - Australia. an Indigenous-inspiredkitformatchesinCentral ognition Matchand United’s adoptionof Plan, MelbourneCity’s annualIndigenousRec Victoria’s initiationofitsownReconciliation Action the footballecosystemincludeFootballFederation A fewnoteworthyinitiativesbyothermembersof JOHN MORIARTY - FOOTBALL Australian initiative tobeincluded. 3 finishintheFIFA 2018Diversity Award, thefirst JMF receivedinternationalrecognition withatop PFA willdonate$50,000. approximately $90,000toJMF, while in 2018,the of IFW, Socceroosplayersdonated matchfeesof donations andgovernmentfunding.In2016,aspart and mediapartners.JMFisfundedbycharitable with FFA, ProfessionalFootballers Australia (PFA) tribution tofootball.IFWisdeliveredinpartnership Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslanderpeople’s con Week (IFW),arecognitionandcelebrationof JMF alsodrivestheannualIndigenousFootball Shadeene Evansinthe Young Matildas. fruit withtheselectionofJMFscholarshipholder football moreseriously, whichisbeginningtobear and providepathwaysfortalentedplayerstopursue football. The programsemployIndigenouspeople children aged2-16inremotecommunitiesthrough health andeducationoutcomesforIndigenous enous engagement.JMFseekstoenhancesocial, significant independentstakeholderindrivingIndig by theMoriartyFoundation,JMFisfootball’s most Moriarty andhissonJamesin2012,managed Founded bythefirstIndigenousSoccerooJohn

- - 7 TAHJ

Tahj’s grandmother is of Torres Strait islander descent. Encouraging your child to enjoy the game and always He began playing at the age of five for the Avoca have a ball at their feet at home and to play for fun with Sharks and by age nine Tahj was selected to play in the their friends is the best way that soccer can be promot- Central Coast Mariners Skills Acquisition Program. Tahj ed in the Indigenous community. was able to play representative futsal for the Central Coast and was fortunate to gain selection in the Austra- If one day Tahj is fortunate enough to succeed in soccer lian team. Tahj has toured New Zealand, China, Hawaii it will be through persistence and not giving up. As and Malaysia playing futsal. Tahj’s parents we will support his dream to become a professional player but also promote the importance of He has been able to experience many different cultures his education as he continues his journey. and make new friends through the sport. His tour of Ha- waii was particularly interesting as he was able to learn a great deal about Polynesian culture as he visited local FATHER OF TAHJ, AGE 12 schools and villages.

Tahj is very proud of his Indigenous heritage and looks up to players such as Jade North who have succeeded in the A-League for a number of years. Tahj’s uncle works closely with the Indigenous community in Macks-

State of Play ville and whenever Tahj visits his cousins he always takes a soccer ball with an open invite for any kids nearby who want to play.

Football’s Indigenous Engagement: Football’s 8 Football’s Indigenous Engagement: State of Play AFL SNAPSHOT: 52% 100,000 ON AFLLISTS PLAYERS INDIGENOUS 80 11% UMPIRES INDIGENOUS INCREASE IN ON AFLWLISTS PLAYERS INDIGENOUS PARTICIPANTS INDIGENOUS 10

5% 9 PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES AFL RAP HIGHLIGHTS

SIR DOUG NICHOLLS INDIGENOUS ROUND NEXT GENERATION ACADEMIES The AFL’s RAP ran from 2014-2016, and has been followed up by Annual round recognising and celebrating Academies for young males delivered by AFL the adoption of RAPs by each of the league’s clubs. Indigenous players and culture since 2007. All clubs in either Indigenous or multicultural com- clubs wear special Indigenous-themed guernseys munities to introduce the sport and build social AIMS during games. The AFL estimates its Indigenous skills. 7000 participants aged 11-15 and 168 aged • Improve participation Round has a reach of 25 million people. Sir Doug 16-18. • Build partnerships Nicholls played 54 games for Fitzroy and was the • Create employment opportunities first Aboriginal person to be knighted, also serving JIM STYNES SCHOLARSHIP • Acknowledge and celebrate as Governor of South Australia. Federally-funded scholarship available to prom- ising 15-19-year-old players from Indigenous, SELECTED ACTIONS INDIGENOUS ALL-STARS CAMP multicultural or socially-isolated communities, to • Establishment of an AFL National Indigenous Advisory Group All Indigenous players from across the AFL are assist with education, transition-to-work, or pursuit • Development of a suitable cultural awareness and education invited to a special camp combining high-per- of professional playing career. program for the AFL community formance training with cultural celebration and • Celebrate, support and encourage all AFL employees, in par- strengthening. FOOTY MEANS BUSINESS ticular Indigenous employees, to engage in significant cultural Two one-week residential camps for 50 young activities such as Reconciliation and NAIDOC week events FLYING BOOMERANGS AND WOOMERAS Indigenous men focusing on education, training • Explore the option of providing AFL leaders with first hand ex- National programs for under 16 males and fe- and employment opportunities. Participants are periences in Indigenous programs and communities to further males using football to facilitate personal, cultural, exposed to the environment of a professional develop respect and understanding leadership and talent development. AFL player and have the opportunity to play the • Conduct formal Acknowledgement and Welcome to Country curtain-raiser to Dreamtime at the G between ceremonies at major AFL events MALE AND FEMALE DIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIPS Richmond and Essendon. • All AFL offices to display the Aboriginal and Torres Strait

State of Play Annual week-long tournaments giving oppor- Islander flag and/or acknowledgement statement tunities to players from Indigenous and diverse COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS • Identify key category areas for Indigenous supplier engage- backgrounds, including potential selection for the Network of 261 volunteers focusing on engaging ment and preferred suppliers Flying Boomerangs and Woomeras, in addition to Indigenous and multicultural communities. • Prepare and publish a yearly progress report in the AFL coaching and umpire academies for Indigenous Annual Report and multicultural people.

Football’s Indigenous Engagement: Football’s 10 MERRYN

I have been associated with remote education in an talented soccer players. This has given many of our Indigenous community for the past three years. During students more confidence in themselves, not just in this time, a highlight for the students of Robinson River their soccer ability but in other areas of their life too. has been their involvement with John Moriarty Football. This has involved a trained soccer coach and Indige- JMF have also opened the door for a brighter future nous support coaches travelling 150km to visit us, usu- through the scholarships they offer to some of our ally twice a week. As soon as their troopy pulls through students. Although this has proved very challenging for the gate, across the school you can hear shouts of some children, as they find it difficult to be so far away “Soccer are here!” from home and in a very different environment, it is an opportunity that is valued by the whole community. Each session sees the students practicing specific skills These scholarships are opening doors and allowing and developing their footwork. The games are then for different pathways through life, opportunities which played, where the students are encouraged to practice would not otherwise occur. these and many other skills they have learned through- out the years. An important part is also the teaching of being “good sports” and playing fairly. Handshakes, MERRYN CURLEY helping their team members after a fall and saying Principal, Robinson River School, Northern positive remarks of encouragement and support are all Territory part of the expectations. State of Play

I must admit that I might be a little biased, but the chil- dren at Robinson River have developed into incredibly

Football’s Indigenous Engagement: Football’s 11 Football’s Indigenous Engagement: State of Play LEAGUE RUGBY SNAPSHOT: MORE 4 INDIGENOUS CAPTAINS THAN 80% 12% 30,000 DESCENT INDIGENOUS ARE FROM OF NRLPLAYERS ISLANDER PLAYERSISLANDER & INDIGENOUS TORRES STRAIT OF AND HAVE AVOICE WORLD CUPSQUAD FEEL SUPPORTED VICTORIOUS 2017 ABORIGINAL WOMEN PART OFTHE

OF BOTHTEAMSIN INDIGENOUS REGISTERED PLAYERS ARE 29% 2015 NRLGRANDFINAL INDIGENOUS NRL EMPLOYEES 27 MEN INDIGENOUS PLAYERS ARE (KANGAROOS) OF NATIONAL TEAM 17% 6% STAFF OF 12 GOVERNANCE PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY LEAGUE INDIGENOUS COUNCIL (ARLIC) INDIGENOUS EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY SCHOOL TO WORK PROGRAM Multi-stakeholder group which oversees the implemen- Has led to over 5% of NRL staff being from Aboriginal A full-time School to Work Project Officer oversees tation of the RAP and provides an Indigenous voice to and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, after the first an award-winning program which has seen over 900 decision-making Indigenous employee joined in 2011. The program also Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students success- includes training for non-Indigenous staff. fully completing their transition from school into higher NRL SENIOR INDIGENOUS PLAYERS ADVISORY GROUP education, training or employment since 2012. Federal Five Indigenous NRL players selected by their peers to ALL STARS GAMES funding announced in 2017 means that an additional provide advice and guidance to NRL management and Special NRL season curtain-raiser which started in 1500 students will be supported over three years. the ARLIC 2010. From 2019 will feature men’s and women’s Indig- enous All Stars team against New Zealand Maori sides. INDIGENOUS YOUTH LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Teams are selected by a fan vote. Sixty young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 11 students are selected to spend five days in camp INDIGENOUS ROUND where they get the opportunity to interact with other A celebration of Indigenous culture involving various young leaders through a series of workshops, activities activations. All teams wear one off Indigenous-inspired and discussions. jerseys, which is mandatory as part of the Club Licenc- ing agreement.

NRL INDIGENOUS PLAYERS CAMP Cultural leadership camp for all Aboriginal and Torres State of Play Strait Islander players in the NRL, plus other players who might benefit. Focus on mental wellbeing, career planning, cultural education and leadership skills.

Football’s Indigenous Engagement: Football’s 13 Football’s Indigenous Engagement: State of Play • • • • • SELECTED ACTIONS • • • • AIMS vate-style RAP ofanynationalsportingbody. kicking off itsambitious2018-2022RAP:thefirstEle NRL clubstodrafttheirownRAPs. The NRL isnow programs listedabove. Another outcomewasassisting – itsthirdachievedmanyoftheoutcomesand Rugby League’s 2014-17Reconciliation Action Plan NRL RAPHIGHLIGHTS ports theNRL Member ProtectionPolicy Australian HumanRightsCommission thatsup National ReconciliationWeek Engagement Manager the hostcity gic Plan Develop a social inclusion framework withthe inclusionframework Develop asocial NRL eventsduring toorganise threeinternal &Player Employ anIndigenousCommunity Conduct aFanForumduring All Starsweekin Embed the RAP into the NRL’s 2018-2022 Strate Establish acoordinatedeffort acrossmajorsports ofgame acrosswhole Embed reconciliation all between Improve relationships Australians communities changeinIndigenous Drive social - - - • • • • • • • • locations) Strait Islanderpopulation(outside ofNRL club in anareawithasignificant Aboriginal and Torres achievement acrosstheGame social mediaplatformshighlightingIndigenous at officiatingandcoachingtheelitelevel people toparticipateintargetedprogramsaimed and servicesannually Torres StraitIslanderbusinessestosupplygoods progression andretention staff havecareerdevelopmentplansfocussedon game andonallstaff emailsignatures cultural immersionactivity months cultural awarenesstrainingwithintheirfirstsix Organise atleastthreeNRL matcheseachyear Include amonthlyarticleonNRL websiteand Assist ten Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander aminimumoffiveEngage with Aboriginaland Ensure all Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander ofCountrybeforeeveryNRLAcknowledgment toundertakea andExecutive All Commissioners staff100% ofnew face-to-face willcomplete success andstrengthen relationships between wrongs andequallyas platform tocelebrate importantly astrong importantly Rugby Leagueplays acceptance ofpast building historical a criticalrolein NRL ReconciliationActionPlan all Australians 2018-2022 14 LYDIA

Growing up in Kalgoorlie, I didn’t hear anything about I’ve always loved travelling. It’s something that I’ve done football, it was always AFL. I moved to when from a really young age and continued with football. I’ve I was 11. There wasn’t really any AFL there, so I was got to see so many amazing places in the world that I playing football. If it wasn’t for my mum getting a job in would have otherwise not been able to see or afforded Canberra, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. to go to. I could probably go to any place in the world and know someone. I actually grew up playing AFL with the Indigenous kids out in the desert. It was rough and tumble so I wasn’t Through football I have had the opportunity to study, to afraid to dive and get hurt or be on the ground. When I grow my knowledge and kind of just get out there. You started playing football I didn’t want to be goalkeeper at can see another part of the world, learn about other these kids to play the sport, they are going to have the first, but it was just a natural fit throughout my career. cultures and make relationships that are going to last a exact same reaction. lifetime. Football gives you a sense of community. The West Coast Eagles players would come into Kal- Indigenous people are really athletic and when they goorlie. Most of the boys I grew up with went on to play It’s very hard to build a relationship with an Aboriginal take control of their abilities and ambitions, they can do AFL at some level. But obviously there wasn’t an AFL community. The AFL have done well whereas football anything. I think they have a unique skillset that is only competition for girls, so I would play every other sport hasn’t reached that yet. One camp or one appearance inherited through their culture. A lot of that is untapped. but that. I started playing soccer at lunch time at school. once a year is not going to build that relationship or You can see from the AFL what they can bring. I think encourage kids to play. it’s cool that Indigenous footballers have an x-factor that But I didn’t know there was a pathway to a career for it. no one can coach.

State of Play To be honest I didn’t know who the Matildas were until Another challenge is that they do not want to leave I made my first Matildas camp! So I was kind of naïve home. When my mum told me we were leaving Kal- and I was going along with the punches each year until goorlie for Canberra, I locked the door to my room and LYDIA WILLIAMS, my first tour with the national team when I was 16. said ‘I want new parents!’. So if we try to encourage Matilda

Football’s Indigenous Engagement: Football’s 15 Football’s Indigenous Engagement: State of Play CRICKET SNAPSHOT: PLAYERS NOTABLE 7 MORE THAN 54,000 19 WOMEN MEN AND INDIGENOUS SCOTT BOLAND, D’ARCYSHORT SCOTT BOLAND, (TESTS) FAITH THOMAS,JASONGILLESPIE AUNTY , ASHGARDNER,DANCHRISTIAN, 9.5% INDIGENOUS AT CRICKET AUSTRALIA(2014) IN EMPLOYEES ( UPFROM36,900IN2017) PARTICIPANTS INDIGENOUS (ODI &T20I) (2017-18) LEAGUES BASH BIG 16 GOVERNANCE PROGRAMS AND CRICKET AUSTRALIA INITIATIVES RAP HIGHLIGHTS

Local Indigenous Cricket Advisory Committees in NATIONAL INDIGENOUS CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIPS Cricket Australia is in the process of completing its first each State and Territory feed into a National Indige- Annual week-long state versus state tournament held in RAP, which ran from 2014-2018. nous Cricket Advisory Committee which has one of Alice Springs each year, for male and female players, its co-chairs on the Cricket Australia board. designed as both a celebration and as a talent accel- SELECTED ACTIONS erator. • Have at least three Board Directors of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background across 150TH ANNIVERSARIES Australian Cricket Boards Recreation of the historic Aboriginal XI tour of England • To provide three male and three female cricket in 1868 by current men’s and women’s teams, following scholarships for Indigenous cricketers to engage matches and orations to commemorate the 1866 with specialist coaches through Cricket Australia’s Aboriginal XI v Cricket Club match at the High Performance program . • Implement formal Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country ceremonies as part of A SPORT FOR ALL Cricket Australia’s events, all men’s and women’s Diversity and inclusion program “supporting more girls international fixtures, KFC T20 Big Bash League and women, multicultural, Aboriginal and Torres Strait (BBL) matches and formal meetings Islander and disability communities get involved in • Engage employees, Board members and senior cricket”. $5m annual sponsorship from Commonwealth management in Australian Cricket in cultural Bank. awareness training through an online assessment portal NATIONAL INDIGENOUS CRICKET STRATEGY FOR GAME AND • Establish a calendar of significant Aboriginal and MARKET DEVELOPMENT 2014/15-2017/18 Torres Strait Islander events (e.g. NAIDOC) which

State of Play Encompasses a number of programs including the Australian Cricket will actively celebrate. National Indigenous Cricket Championships • State and Territory cricket associations to become a member of Supply Nation in order to increased ANU RESEARCH PROJECT AND REPORT supplier diversity within Australian Cricket. University partnership to investigate Indigenous cricket • Establish an Indigenous employment and devel- in Australia opment strategy

Football’s Indigenous Engagement: Football’s 17 JAMES

It all started when my old man bought me a soccer ball offers a lot that nothing else can. Sport can teach a lot for a present. I’d tried playing rugby and it just wasn’t for of things about health, wellbeing, discipline and you can me. With soccer, I never loved it but I was OK at it and I show that if you work hard you can improve on things just progressed along. and apply that to other aspects of life too. It’s a very unique way of delivering positive messages to youth; I had this privileged kind of upbringing in a way. I didn’t through engagement with people they see running really identify with the Indigenous side of my family around on TV. at a young age because I associated it with all of the negative things that I saw and experienced. Looking Indigenous athletes also provide a good medium to de- back now, football actually gave me the opportunity to liver that cultural awareness to the broader population. I escape all the issues that came with that. know other codes do it really well.

On the Tweed it is traditionally more of a rugby league It took me until a couple of years ago to realise that me area but there is a really big participation rate for playing is not important; it’s me seeing other people soccer, especially among youth, so there were always get the opportunity and fulfil their potential. I want to academies and clinics going on. I was fortunate the create more role models for the Indigenous community. path for me was relatively easy when compared to I want to create some cultural change, empower people others. It was probably the proudest part of my career and try to address that disconnect we have with the to sign with Gold Coast United and play in front of my Australian public.

State of Play friends and family.

I think soccer can be made more readily available to the JAMES BROWN, Indigenous community, but it’s sport in general – sport Former A-League Player

Football’s Indigenous Engagement: Football’s 18 LLOYD MCDERMOTT RUGBY DEVELOPMENT 14 TEAM INDIGENOUS Independent organisation, named after RUGBY SNAPSHOT: Lloyd McDermott, Indigenous Wallaby PLAYERS and first Aboriginal barrister. LMRDT holds an annual Indigenous Rugby HAVE REPRESENTED Sevens tournament called the Ella 7s, UNION with up to 44 teams participating and THE WALLABIES 2,000 people attending. (AS OF 2017) State of Play

Football’s Indigenous Engagement: Football’s 19 Football’s Indigenous Engagement: State of Play third BledisloeCupmatchin2017. teams. An Indigenous-designedjerseywasworninthe and ‘messagesticks’ presentedtovisitinginternational Welcome toCountryperformedbeforemajorevents EVENTS MAJOR education. Over5,000studentsparticipatedin2016. children combiningrugbyuniondiscoveryandcultural National programforIndigenousprimaryschool DEADLY 7S INITIATIVES PROGRAMS AND UNION RAPHIGHLIGHTS AUSTRALIAN RUGBY • • • • SELECTED ACTIONS • • AIMS gets andachievementsthroughoutthebusiness. Champions: internalstaff whocommunicate RAP tar Australia. The ARU hasestablishedagroupofRAP identified needtoimproveunderstandingofIndigenous ticipated inculturalawarenessactivitiestoaddressan commenced in2013,allstaff from theCEOdownpar RAP, covering2016-18.DuringitsfirstRAP, which The ARU isworking towardscompletionofitssecond Member Union(state) staff Managers andother leadershipandextendto Working Groupmembers, RAP Champions,HR port Ella7scarnival Land Councils Prime MinisterandCabinet,Local Aboriginal munity organisationsincludingDepartmentofthe each year external eventforNationalReconciliationWeek ment withrugby Investigate cultural training opportunities forRAPInvestigate culturaltrainingopportunities Provide officespacetoLMRDT andstaff tosup andcom withgovernment Develop relationships supportone internaleventand Organise one theGap’Drive ‘Close outcomesthroughengage inrugbyunion Increase Indigenousparticipation - - - - - • • • • • • • increase engagement Islander rugbygreatstoidentifyhow ARU can Strait Islanderpeoplesinrugby to successfullyengage Aboriginal and Torres with thegame participants onapathwaytoongoingengagement and Torres StraitIslanderchildren,startingthe ARU website goods andservices Islander businessesthatcanbeusedtoprocure res StraitIslandermedia Test Matchesheldin Australia Collaborate with Collaborate Aboriginal and Torres Strait asharedvision Identify commercialpartnerswith programengaging Launch atargeted Aboriginal ofIndigenous Create profiles Wallabies onthe of Develop alist Aboriginal and Torres Strait jobvacanciesin Advertise all Aboriginal and Tor Welcome eventssuchas toCountryatsignificant - 20 A report by Professional Footballers Australia on behalf of John Moriarty Football