The Adelaide Football Club has unveiled a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to build on and strengthen its efforts to promote reconciliation in the community, as well as within the Club.

The Plan will operate for the next two years and aims to promote a deeper respect and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

It formalises the Club’s commitment to reconciliation, to improving the partnerships with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in South Australia and the Northern Territory, and to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the football club.

The Plan is endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, the independent not-for-profit organisation that promotes reconciliation by building relationships and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Crows’ RAP includes a commitment to:

Formalising the Club’s involvement in a range of projects including National Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC week, the Apology Day Breakfast and more;

Continuing to deliver and showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures during the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round;

Further developing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations;

Conducting activities to raise internal and external awareness of the RAP to promote reconciliation across the Club, and with partners, sponsors and supporters;

Continuing to stand up against racism directed at Aboriginial and Torres Strait Islander people;

Establishing opportunities to improve and increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment outcomes at the Club;

Continuing to deliver and extend programs to increase positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth;

Further exploring opportunities to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to pursue careers in the sporting industry;

Continuing to celebrating and embrace all cultures represented at the Club, with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds; and

Extending the Club’s strategies for supporting past, present and future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.

Crows legend Andrew McLeod, who is part of the RAP Working Group, said he was proud to introduce the Plan.

“The Adelaide Football Club has a strong commitment to empowering and ensuring the wellbeing and prosperity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” McLeod said.

“The Club has a vision of ‘Bringing People Together To Achieve Great Things’. Players, staff and administrators live those words and we are determined to promote a deeper respect and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

“Reinforced by our commitment to industry-leading high quality youth programs through the McLeod Centre of Excellence, the Club encourages and supports young Indigenous Australians in making positive changes in their lives and developing the skills to form responsible and appropriate decisions about their future.

“As a Club we are determined to broaden the focus beyond our existing programs, increase understanding and promote cultural awareness among current staff and players, as well as the wider public.

“We are privileged to have had many talented and inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players wear the Crows jumper and contribute both on and off the field.

“The development of this RAP will provide stronger pathways to improve educational, social and economic wellbeing. It will provide a framework that will foster real opportunities, one built on mutual respect and understanding that brings people together through a shared responsibility.

“We look forward to providing regular updates on our progress as we strive to be more culturally diverse and inclusive, while continuing to celebrate the magnificent contribution made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to our football club and the sport in general.”

Read more about the Club’s existing Indigenous programs here.