In 2011, 11 per cent of all AFL players identified themselves as Indigenous Australians and as this number will continue to grow in years to come, the Association is committing more than ever to developing and supporting players from Indigenous backgrounds.  Our Association wants to ensure we maximise our opportunities and are well supported on our football journey.

This commitment also extends to the development and support of other players from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Our Indigenous and Multicultural Manager, Nadia Taib, works closely with us and Clubs to ensure our needs are being met as well as coordinating a number of programs and external resources.

The services available to us are not that different to that provided to all players, these details are summarised below:

• Career Transition and Education Support
• Finance Education
• Skill Development Support
• Access to AFL SportsReady Next Goal Placement, Sporting Trade Skills and Next Coach programs
• Wellbeing Services
• Retired and Delisted Player Support
• Specific services and programs designed to support Indigenous and Multicultural players include:
• AFL Players’ Association Indigenous Camp
• Indigenous Player Advisory Board
• Indigenous AFL Player Education program
• Indigenous Player Map
• AFL Players’ Association and Gaelic Players Association – Player Transition Support

 

For more information on Indigenous & Multicultural Services, contact Nadia Taib - nadia@aflpa.com.au

 

Indigenous Player Advisory Board

 

At this year’s Indigenous Camp we discussed the concept of the Indigenous Player Advisory Board for the first time and players voted for the formation of this Advisory Board to go ahead. With more Indigenous footballers than ever before playing footy at the highest level, we see this initiative as an important way to give our voice to the development of programs and support services provided to us; it also contributes to our overall goal of making the AFL a better and more supportive workplace for Indigenous players in the future.

The advisory board will:

• Talk about issues that affect Indigenous players and how to deal with them
• Give the Players’ Association feedback on how to make our services the best they can be for you;
• Promote cultural connection and awareness within Clubs and the broader AFL industry;
• Discuss ways in which we can further boost Indigenous participation in footy; and
• Influence the direction the Players’ Association takes in representing Indigenous players within the AFL industry.

A national election has taken place to select the eight inaugural advisory board member positions including Adam Goodes, the inaugural Chair of the Indigenous Player Advisory Board, Xavier Clarke, Graham Johncock, Roger Hayden, Aaron Davey, Shaun Burgoyne, Chance Bateman and Nathan Lovett-Murray. The Advisory Board with look to have their first meeting in early August.

For more information on the official announcement click here.

Indigenous AFL Player Education

 

Since 2009, we have supported a number of Certificate courses facilitated by RMIT University. These courses provide culturally appropriate education and structured pathways for Indigenous players.

The courses currently being undertaken are outlined below:

Certificate III & IV in Education (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders)

These qualifications give participants the skills to work in a range of education, school and community settings. On completion, AFL players will be able to:

• Work as an employee in an educational service providing support to students and colleagues in accordance with industry protocols and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols;
• Provide teaching/learning assistance within earl childhood, primary and high school environments;
• Provide general teaching/learning assistance within community recreation, visual arts, storytelling; filming, Indigenous language research, disabilities, administration or library environments, depending on elective choice;
• Provide general teaching/learning assistance with the early childhood, primary and high school environments; and/or
• Act as a cultural liaison officer, assisting in development of community and school partnerships.

 

In 2009 there were eight players involved in a Certificate II in Mumgu-dhal tyama tiyt (translation: ‘Message stick of knowledge’) with the aim of the qualification to provide skills and knowledge to the participants so they could enter a range of education and/or employment opportunitiess. Now well into the third year of this program, there are 26 players participating in a range of these courses nationally. These players are not only contributing to their own personal development, but are doing so in a way that will allow many to support their communities down the track.