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WAFC vision to enhance Aboriginal engagementFriday, September 1, 2017 - 10:26 AM
The West Australian Football Commission officially launched its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) on Thursday, August 31 to set a clear vision for building stronger relationships with Aboriginal people and communities across WA.
WAFC CEO Gavin Taylor said the WAFC’s vision for reconciliation was an inclusive football industry built on acceptance and understanding, where all people work together to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people and strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.
“The WAFC has witnessed firsthand the positive impact football has on the Aboriginal community. This impact extends beyond the playing field to include families, friends and the community as a whole,” he said.
“Football has the capacity to educate, improve health, develop leadership and provide a stepping stone to employment. This is reflected in our vision to connect and enhance WA communities through our great game.
“This includes creating a united community and a football environment that is inclusive of all Australians, particularly the custodians of the land we play on, the Aboriginal people.
“The RAP sets a clear direction on how we will grow this relationship, increase respect and recognition and provide further opportunities for Aboriginal people to participate in all aspects of football in Western Australia. In addition, the RAP aims to improve the social relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Western Australians through football,” he said.
The RAP has been developed by the WAFC Aboriginal Advisory Group with significant input from Aboriginal community members, and representatives from the WA Football League, WA Amateur Football League, WA Country Football League, and past players and officials.
WAFC Aboriginal Advisory Group Chairman Larry Kickett said the RAP was a positive step forward for the WAFC and showed its commitment to assisting the wider Aboriginal community to deliver success for their people.
“There are already significant programs to allow Aboriginal people to benefit from our great game and this RAP will support and build on what has been achieved thus far,” he said.
“I look forward to seeing more Aboriginal people deeply engaged across the football industry including positions of leadership such as Boards as well as in roles as administrators, coaches, umpires and trainers.”
The WAFC RAP will focus on achieving a broad range of outcomes in key areas including developing stronger relationships between Aboriginal leaders and the WA Football community, enhancing WAFC employees’ understanding of Aboriginal culture, history, society and people, working to increase recruitment and retention of Aboriginal players, coaches, umpires and administrators and maintaining and recording progress in each of these areas.
This will build upon more than 50 programs and events that are currently run each year under the WAFC Aboriginal Football Program in partnership with community and government organisations including the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Department of the Attorney General, WA Police, South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, AFL, West Coast Eagles, Fremantle Dockers and AFL Sports Ready.
Download: WAFC Reconciliation Action Plan 2017-19
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