Rio Tinto partners with WA Football Indigenous ProgramsThursday, July 8, 2021 - 1:04 PM

The West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) has welcomed Rio Tinto as the principal partner of its Indigenous Programs, developed to strengthen relationships and connection with West Australian & Indigenous communities through the power of football. 

Rio Tinto’s major investment into WA Football Indigenous programs over the next three years will be the cornerstone for the WAFC to deliver upon its Reconciliation Action Plan. 

The partnership will contribute across both male and female football segments; creating leadership and employment opportunities in football for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander participants while using football as a vehicle to enhance cultural awareness across all levels of the game in Western Australia.  

WAFC Chairman Hon Wayne Martin AC QC welcomed the partnership with Rio Tinto and outlined the positive impact that football will inherit from the investment.

“To partner with a global mining leader such as Rio Tinto is extremely significant to driving positive outcomes for football in this state, particularly at grassroot level in Indigenous communities,” Mr Martin said.

“The benefits of the partnership to our participants, communities and key stakeholders of WA Football will be vital to continuing Western Australia’s status as the number one state for Indigenous football participation.”

“More than 40% of Indigenous players in the AFL and AFL Women’s competitions come from Western Australia, while 20% of WA’s male and female State Academies are Indigenous. Community Football’s Indigenous player growth is evolving with 9% participation across all competitions.”

“Rio Tinto’s commitment will see a continuation of the best possible support and opportunity for Indigenous Australians through football.” 

“Football in Western Australia is rapidly growing across all segments of the game and having partners committed to investing in our sport is critical, so it’s with great pleasure that I welcome Rio Tinto to the WA Football family.”

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive , Simon Trott, said that partnering with WA Football would further assist Indigenous and remote communities to connect with the game of Australian Rules Football.
 
“Rio Tinto is proud to support WA Football and its Indigenous programs which help inspire many young Aboriginal men and women to achieve success in education, community life and sport,” Mr Trott said.
 
“As a company, this new partnership reflects our determination to make a positive contribution to WA communities.
 
“I am grateful to the WA Football Commission for the chance to work together, to build deeper connections within the state, with a particular focus on delivering positive social outcomes for Indigenous communities.”

Other initiatives of the partnership include; ensuring adequate resourcing to remote and regional areas of the state, launching a scholarship program for young Indigenous players in the WAFL segment and expanding the highly successful Nicky Winmar & Kirby Bentley Carnival to remote regional areas.