Cultural Diversity
Australian Football is the sport of choice for Indigenous Australians.
This is clearly demonstrated by:

• 2.5% of the total Australian population -11% of AFL lists.
  
• 10% of the 2008 National Draft.
  
• 90,000 participants in Australian Football programs.

This connection provides a unique opportunity for Indigenous and Non Indigenous Australians to work together in partnership.

For many players, a football career gives them access to resources and support that their peers can only dream of.
But negotiating the pitfalls and challenges of the AFL world can also present a number of risks.

Player Support
In this context, the AFL Players' Association is committed to developing and supporting players from Indigenous backgrounds to ensure they maximise these opportunities and are well-supported on their football journey.
This commitment extends to the development and support of other players from culturally diverse backgrounds.

In line with this approach, the Association employs an Indigenous and Multicultural Manager to ensure the needs of our players from culturally diverse backgrounds are being met.
This manager, NadiaTaib, coordinates a number of different programs and external resources.

Education for Indigenous AFL Players
Since 2009 the AFL Players' Association has supported a number of certificate courses facilitated by RMIT University.
The certificate courses provide culturally appropriate education and structured pathways for Indigenous players.

Certificate II Mumgu-dhal tyama tiyt
(translation: 'Message stick of knowledge') The name of this Certificate reflects the intention of the qualifications to provide skills and knowledge for Indigenous Australians to enter a range of education and/or employment options.
The name comes from two Victorian Aboriginal languages: the Woiwurrung words 'mumgu-dhar meaning 'message stick-of in partnership with the Keeraywooroong word 'tyama-tyit' meaning 'knowledge'.
In 2010, two Indigenous players undertook and completed this RMIT Certificate Program.

Certificate III & IV in Education
(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) -These qualifications give Indigenous participants the skills to work in a range of education, school and community settings.
On completion, AFL players will be able to:

• Work as an employee in an educational service providing support to students and colleagues in accordance with industry protocols and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols;
  
• Provide teaching/learning assistance within early childhood, primary and high school environments;
  
• Provide general teaching/learning assistance within community recreation, early childhood, information technology, visual arts, storytelling, filming, Indigenous language research, disabilities, administration or library environments, depending on elective choice;
  
• Provide general teaching/learning assistance within the early childhood, primary and high school environments; and/or
  
• Act as a cultural liaison officer, assisting in development of community and school partnerships. In 2010,13 Indigenous AFL players undertook and completed the Certificate III qualification and there are three Indigenous players currently undertaking the Certificate IV qualification. These participants are not only contributing to their own personal development, but are doing so in a way that will allow many to support their communities down the track.

AFL Players' Association Indigenous Camp
In 2000, the Players' Association established a biennial camp to bring together those members identifying as Indigenous Australians.
The camp's purpose is to provide Indigenous players with the opportunity and skills to support each other on their AFL journey.
It is also a great chance for the entire Indigenous playing group to have input into the development of support programs offered to players with an Aboriginal or Torres Straight Island background.
Locations have included Melbourne, Uluru, Broome, Townsville, Palm Island and Darwin.
In recent years, the Camp has also doubled as a training opportunity for the Indigenous All Stars Game, which is usually held in the following days.
In 2011, the Indigenous Camp was held in Sydney at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, Redfern.
Here the highest-ever number of participants, including a number of Player Development Managers (PDMs), engaged in discussion about their cultural background and development and what they could do to further improve support for Indigenous players in the system.

Indigenous Cultural Awareness Workshops
The AFL Players' Association also has a role in educating the wider football community about Indigenous culture.
To this end, the Association has sponsored Dr Sean Gorman, a respected expert in the history and experience of Indigenous players in the VFL/AFL, to present ground breaking research to a number of AFL clubs.
This presentation looks at the history of Indigenous footballers through the story of the Krakouer Brother's to highlight challenges Indigenous players have encountered since the game was established.

Since 2009 nine AFL clubs have elected to run this session.
In addition to club based sessions such as the Sean Gorman presentation, the Association also provided further Cultural Awareness training to all club PDMs at the July 2010 PDM Forum.
Run by Indigenous educator Tony Shaw, this outlined the unique nature of Indigenous cultural, family and community bonds and suggested ways in which AFL club personnel could better take these factors into account when making key decisions and supporting their Indigenous players.

ALFPA Cultural Diversity Staff:

Nadia Taib.
Indigenous & Multicultural Manager.

Cory McGrath.
Assistant Accountant and Indigenous Support.