ABOUT AFL & THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
The Indigenous population makes up two and a half percent of the total Australian population; from this, 90,000 participants are involved with AFL programs around the country. Indigenous players make up more than 10% of our AFL list.
The connection the AFL has at a national, state and regional level allows us to provide a unique opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to work together in partnership. The AFL’s Indigenous Partnership focuses on:
- – Acknowledgement
- – Recognition
- – Community Development
- – Reconciliation
- – Commitment
PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES
AFL NSW/ACT’s indigenous programs aim to:
- – Increase participation
- – Identify and offer pathways for talented Indigenous players
- – Develop relationships with community leaders, Elders, representative organisations, government and Indigenous media to promote Australian football
- – Introduce Indigenous people to AFL through game visitation or sampling and events
- – Assist community clubs to be culturally aware and embracing of Indigenous protocols
- – Employ Indigenous staff wherever possible
Indigenous Talent Pathway
AFL NSW/ACT want to build strong young leaders by giving them the opportunity to participate and learn new skills in all aspects in life and to then take these skills back to their communities and share their knowledge.
Participants need to be a part of their community football and be involved in a football club: it is through this participation that allows them to become a part of the programs at a national level.
AFL Female Indigenous Youth Leadership Program
The Female Indigenous Youth Leadership Program is for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls aged 12 – 15 years of age from across NSW/ACT, funded by Transport for NSW.
The Program delivered in a 3-day camp format, provides an opportunity for participants to build upon their leadership and football skills whilst encouraging them to continue to be leaders within their local community.
The camp will include:
- – AFL Skills and Drills
- – Personal and football development goals
- – Learning from AFLW and AFL players
- – Leadership sessions, including culture and identity
- – Training and game simulation on Sunday morning
- – Education session delivered by Transport for NSW
- – Further details of AFL Talent Programs and Player Pathways
The AFL NSW/ACT Female Indigenous Youth Leadership Program is currently open for applications, click on the links below to register your interest:
Female Indigenous Youth Leadership Program Information Form
AFL Indigenous Programs Registration Form
AFL Indigenous Academies – Western Sydney
Funded by the Australian Government’s Sporting Chance Program, the Indigenous Academies focus on educational, cultural and leadership outcomes.
The seven partner high schools include Rooty Hill, Plumpton, Doonside, Macquarie Fields, Sarah Redfern, James Meehan, and Ingleburn.
The Academies commenced in 2006 and have continuously grown each year. The program is available to all Indigenous students from Year 7 to Year 12 in each of the schools.
AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round
Sir Doug Nicholls Round provides an opportunity to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture and history and the invaluable contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have made to Australian Football.
Season 2020 marks the 14th year the AFL has celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
The Round will be celebrated across Rounds 10 and 11 of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season beginning with ‘Marngrook at the SCG’ between Sydney and Geelong on Friday 22nd of May followed by the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G match between Essendon and Richmond on Saturday night.
The GIANTS will celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round with a home game against the Adelaide Crows on Saturday 30th May.
For more information on Sir Doug Nicholls Round click HERE.
National programs supported by AFL NSW//ACT
Rio Tinto’s ‘Footy Means Business’
Contacts
Mark Leavy
Indigenous Lead
mark.leavy@afl.com.au
0468 963 600
