Essendon Football Club today became the first Club in the AFL to adopt a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Developed in conjunction with Reconciliation Australia, the RAP has been established to identify specific and measureable action the Club can take as part of a national effort to close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and other Australians.
The RAP aims to reconcile the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by contributing to an improvement in the standard of living, education and employment, housing, self-esteem and health.
Managing Director Peter Jackson said the RAP was an important step for Essendon Football Club in that it would ensure the Club’s Indigenous community programs meet the needs of the Indigenous people and assist in creating genuine and lasting change.
“Clearly we are only a small piece in the puzzle in terms of addressing social inequity but nonetheless we feel it is important that our contribution is targeted, measurable and in keeping with the direction set by those with a full understanding of the issues,” Jackson said.
“We want to see Indigenous Australians being offered the same opportunities as non-Indigenous Australians and this can only happen when Indigenous people are on the same footing with access to education, jobs, housing and good health. We want to use this Club’s brand and people to help drive these outcomes.
“The RAP will help us to identify opportunities to engage with Indigenous communities, embrace their heritage and tradition and make staff and players better aware of the cultural differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.”
Essendon Football Club has witnessed first-hand the outstanding contribution of some remarkable Indigenous talent including the likes of Michael Long, Gavin Wanganeen, Derek Kickett, Dean Rioli, Norm McDonald, and many more.
The Club hopes the RAP will play a role in giving other Indigenous Australians the opportunity to experience success at the highest level, whether it be sport or business.
Reconciliation Australia's Chief Executive Paul O'Callaghan congratulated Essendon for being the first club in the AFL to develop a RAP.
""Essendon already attracts the greatest accolades for its reconciliation activities over a number of years,"" said Mr O'Callaghan.
""The club has shown its credentials as a leading Australian sports organization in promoting reconciliation and understanding the business as well as social benefits that flow.”
“Essendon's announcement of a Reconciliation Action Plan provides impressive evidence of its commitment to support Aboriginal players, their families and communities, and to act as a role model for other organisations.""
The official launch of Essendon’s RAP will be held in the Club’s Hall of Fame during NAIDOC week in July.
Essendon’s Indigenous programs include Fostership relationships developed with the remote communities of Wadeye and the Tiwi Islands as well as a sister-Club relationship with the Rumbalara Football and Netball Club in Shepparton.
Essendon also has a community partnership with The Long Walk and was the driving force behind the development of the Dreamtime at the G game – now the centerpiece of the AFL’s Indigenous Round.
Essendon’s Indigenous Program partner is DESA and its fostership programs are supported by the AFL and the Federal Government.
