Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Long as the club’s Indigenous ambassador.
Following Essendon’s second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) launch this morning, Long will represent the club and assist with the future direction of Essendon’s Indigenous programs.
Essendon Football Club officially launched the first RAP on August 28, 2009. The 2010-2011 RAP builds on the club’s significant relationship with Indigenous Australians by setting bold actions to help ‘close the gap’ between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Essendon was proudly the first sporting club in Australia to implement a RAP, with a focus to ensure the club’s programs and objectives fall in to line with those on the national agenda.
Chief Executive Officer Ian Robson said Long’s appointment would only further strengthen the club’s ties to wider Indigenous communities across Australia.
""We are extremely excited to be able to announce that Michael Long has been appointed as the club's Indigenous Ambassador"" Robson said.
“Michael will always be an important part of the fabric of our club. Both on and off the field, he has been a pioneer for indigenous communities and he played a pivotal role in combating racism in sport and the AFL.
""To be able to formally welcome him back to the club as an Indigenous ambassador is extremely exciting and takes his connection with Essendon Football Club to another level.""
The club’s partnerships with the Northern Territory communities including Wadeye and Tiwi, the Rumbalara Football and Netball Club in Shepparton and The Long Walk exist as Essendon’s new ways of engaging with Indigenous people and communities.
Long made his debut for Essendon in 1989 and immediately made an impact on the field after being named the best first year player in that year. The highlight for Long came in the 1993 finals series, capped off by winning the Norm Smith Medal in Essendon’s Grand Final win over Carlton. Following a stint as the club’s vice-captain, Long joined James Hird as co-captains in 1999 and was an influential member of the 2000 Premiership side. Long retired at the end of the 2001 season after playing 190 games and booting 143 goals.
Long is one of the most recognisable Indigenous figures in AFL football and championed the Indigenous cause within the AFL. Following an on-field racial incident in 1995, Long was a pioneering force behind the racial abuse code that was adopted by the AFL. Long continues to march on in the pursuit of improving Indigenous wellbeing through the work of The Long Walk.
To join Michael Long on the hallowed turf of the MCG before the round eight Dreamtime at the G clash with Richmond on May 19, click here.
Following Essendon’s second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) launch this morning, Long will represent the club and assist with the future direction of Essendon’s Indigenous programs.
Essendon Football Club officially launched the first RAP on August 28, 2009. The 2010-2011 RAP builds on the club’s significant relationship with Indigenous Australians by setting bold actions to help ‘close the gap’ between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Essendon was proudly the first sporting club in Australia to implement a RAP, with a focus to ensure the club’s programs and objectives fall in to line with those on the national agenda.
Chief Executive Officer Ian Robson said Long’s appointment would only further strengthen the club’s ties to wider Indigenous communities across Australia.
""We are extremely excited to be able to announce that Michael Long has been appointed as the club's Indigenous Ambassador"" Robson said.
“Michael will always be an important part of the fabric of our club. Both on and off the field, he has been a pioneer for indigenous communities and he played a pivotal role in combating racism in sport and the AFL.
""To be able to formally welcome him back to the club as an Indigenous ambassador is extremely exciting and takes his connection with Essendon Football Club to another level.""
The club’s partnerships with the Northern Territory communities including Wadeye and Tiwi, the Rumbalara Football and Netball Club in Shepparton and The Long Walk exist as Essendon’s new ways of engaging with Indigenous people and communities.
Long made his debut for Essendon in 1989 and immediately made an impact on the field after being named the best first year player in that year. The highlight for Long came in the 1993 finals series, capped off by winning the Norm Smith Medal in Essendon’s Grand Final win over Carlton. Following a stint as the club’s vice-captain, Long joined James Hird as co-captains in 1999 and was an influential member of the 2000 Premiership side. Long retired at the end of the 2001 season after playing 190 games and booting 143 goals.
Long is one of the most recognisable Indigenous figures in AFL football and championed the Indigenous cause within the AFL. Following an on-field racial incident in 1995, Long was a pioneering force behind the racial abuse code that was adopted by the AFL. Long continues to march on in the pursuit of improving Indigenous wellbeing through the work of The Long Walk.
To join Michael Long on the hallowed turf of the MCG before the round eight Dreamtime at the G clash with Richmond on May 19, click here.
