Essendon was the first sporting club in Australia to implement a RAP, aimed at setting bold actions to help ‘close the gap’ between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Essendon CEO Ian Robson, premiership player and Indigenous Ambassador Michael Long, and Reconciliation Australia board member Peter Nash, were on hand to outline the club’s RAP for the next two years.
“Essendon Football Club has a long and proud history of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Reconciliation is everyone’s business in Australia, and we at Essendon understand our role and our responsibility,” said Robson.
“Essendon has long led the football community in the essential work of Aboriginal engagement, support and inclusion. The names Michael Long, Gavin Wanganeen and Derek Kickett were pioneers and champions of the game, are great role models and are acknowledged as great servants of our football club.
“Essendon’s commitment to acknowledging talent and providing career opportunity also extends well beyond the playing field. We currently employ three Aboriginal staff within the club’s community department, and we are committed to expanding our education programs to the wider indigenous community.”
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The actions outlined in the 2013-2015 RAP will focus on developing the club’s existing relationships with Wurundjeri Land Council and Elders, Northern Territory communities in Wadeye and Tiwi Islands, the Rumbalara Football Club in Shepparton and The Long Walk, the club has also sighted two key major actions.
The first will see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activities and engagement work both locally and nationally. The Bombers’ Bright Futures employment project, supported by the Victorian State Government, and the Lil’ Hume Bombers AusKick Start-up are two examples where the club will play a much more visible and meaningful role amongst the local community.
The second will see Essendon continue to display imagery and messaging that acknowledges and embraces the growing diversity of Aboriginal people and culture. Club developed collateral, digital activity and events and functions will be significantly more representative and accessible to the community.
Read Essendon Football Club's 2013-2015 Reconciliation Action Plan.
The actions outlined in the 2013-2015 RAP will focus on developing the club’s existing relationships with Wurundjeri Land Council and Elders, Northern Territory communities in Wadeye and Tiwi Islands, the Rumbalara Football Club in Shepparton and The Long Walk, the club has also sighted two key major actions.
The first will see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activities and engagement work both locally and nationally. The Bombers’ Bright Futures employment project, supported by the Victorian State Government, and the Lil’ Hume Bombers AusKick Start-up are two examples where the club will play a much more visible and meaningful role amongst the local community.
The second will see Essendon continue to display imagery and messaging that acknowledges and embraces the growing diversity of Aboriginal people and culture. Club developed collateral, digital activity and events and functions will be significantly more representative and accessible to the community.
Read Essendon Football Club's 2013-2015 Reconciliation Action Plan.
