Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
Message from Reconciliation Australia Leah Armstrong Chief Executive
It gives me great pleasure to welcome the NRL’s third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). There should be little doubt as to the important role sport plays in the lives of Australia’s First Peoples. For hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities around Australia, Rugby League is an intrinsic part of community life and wellbeing. The role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Rugby League cannot be underestimated either, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people making up more than 10% of the NRL playing group. Rugby League’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players are a source of huge inspiration for tens of thousands of people around the country, and they, alongside the rest of the NRL, play an important role in the promotion of reconciliation. As the NRL embark on their third RAP we are reminded that reconciliation is a journey that requires strong leadership from those in positions of influence. On behalf of Reconciliation Australia I commend the NRL for continuing to build on their first two RAPs and displaying their clear commitment to reconciliation and Australia’s first peoples.
Document graphic pattern inspired by painting “Thapu Wani Watina”, meaning “Brothers Playing Side By Side” in the Kalkadoon language by Chern’ee Sutton.
Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
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Message from National Rugby League Message from Australian Rugby League Commission John Grant Chairman
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Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
Dave Smith Chief Executive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are integral to our great game. The numbers of Indigenous people engaged at all levels of our Game is increasing rapidly and this makes rugby league a game for all our people. Each year we celebrate the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players at the elite level through a dedicated Indigenous NRL round, and to kick start our season in 2015, we will see the return of the magnificent All Stars Game. These are important markers for our game, but it’s not just about what happens on the field at the elite level that matters. We are committed to ensuring our business practices right across the game provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to enjoy valuable and rewarding roles as Ambassadors, administrators, officials, referees, coaches and game support staff, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to have opportunities through the game’s procurement practices.
We are also committed to understanding, respecting and engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and values, with the belief that both we and the game overall will be better for doing so. At the governance levels across the game, the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council (ARLIC) continues to provide strategic advice to the CEO and Commission on issues of importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the Indigenous Players Advisory Group (IPAG) continues to provide an environment in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players can thrive. The 2014-2017 Reconciliation Action Plan sets ambitious targets. We know it will take leadership, will and action for them to be achieved. We are confident we can.
I am proud to present Rugby League’s 2014-2017 Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This is our Game’s third RAP and it builds on solid foundations that began in 2008 when we became the first national sporting code to develop such a plan. With the development of this RAP, Rugby League is now the only national sporting code to have reached “Stretch RAP” status, which means being focused on implementing longer-term strategies, and working towards defined targets and goals.
The key theme of this RAP is the embedding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and issues throughout our great Game – from grassroots players, coaches and volunteers to our elite pathways program that will see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players increasing from the current 11% to 15% of NRL players. We will also be working hard to deliver on our commitment of 5% of NRL employees being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander by the end of 2017. These targets, along with other initiatives outlined in our RAP, are ambitious and demonstrate our on-going commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, families, communities and organisations. We are determined to establish the NRL as an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and athletes. We will commit to supporting key social initiatives that are important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and fans including pledging our support to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution and partnering with the Australian Human Rights Commission to help stamp out racism in our Game and in the community. So that we don’t just talk the talk, another significant component of this RAP is ensuring that we actively monitor our performance and the outcomes.
Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
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Message from the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council The Hon. Linda Burney MP Chair
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Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
I am very pleased to be able to join with the NRL CEO, Dave Smith and the Commission under the leadership of John Grant, in presenting the 2014-2017 Reconciliation Action Plan. It provides the Rugby League community an action plan including targets to take forward the very significant relationship with and participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Rugby League. Rugby League is a fundamental part of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities. Whether it is participating in regular competitions as a player, referee, coach, volunteer or a spectator, being involved in the carnivals that take place or attending the wonderful All Stars Game, the passion of our people toward Rugby League is unrivalled.
The Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council (ARLIC) is extremely proud to represent our communities in making this RAP a plan that will not only open up further opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wanting to participate in this great game, but also make a difference in overcoming disadvantage and dealing with social issues. The ARLIC, through its involvement in the RAP Working Group and its engagement with both the CEOs and the Australian Rugby League Commission, will work tirelessly to make this RAP a success. The Australian Rugby League Commission has demonstrated its commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities through the setting of aspirational targets and we look forward to being part of this journey as Rugby League continues to confirm its place as the sport of choice for our people. I have always had the view that Reconciliation is not a destination. The journey towards it is where the real learnings and changes take place.
Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
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Rugby League’s vision for reconciliation We want reconciliation to be an open and ongoing discussion across all levels of our Game, ensuring that Rugby League is indeed a great game for all, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Rugby League’s vision for reconciliation is underpinned by the Game’s mission “to bring people together and enrich their lives”, and is driven by our core values: excellence, inclusiveness, courage and teamwork. Our core values complement our commitment to reconciliation, knowing that achieving excellence in reconciliation requires setting clear goals that we can measure success against; encouraging inclusiveness through respecting and celebrating the diverse cultures and backgrounds of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander players, staff and supporters; having the courage to stand up for our beliefs and empowering others to do the same; and working together to motivate and challenge those around us to achieve common goals.
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Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
Rugby League (or our business) Rugby League is one of Australia’s most popular sports, and in its heartland, NSW and Queensland, is Australia’s largest population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Rugby League has been played in Australia since 1908, and from its beginning, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have starred and been represented among the Game’s greatest players. Today Rugby League has grown to include over a million participants from junior to elite level, which includes the introduction of Touch Football into the Rugby League family. The National Rugby League (NRL), formed in 1998, markets and administers the Telstra Premiership on behalf of the clubs, organising the competition draw, referees, judiciary, Finals matches and the Grand Final. The 16 clubs in the Telstra Premiership each have their own CEOs and organisational structure, although they are bound to the NRL by club agreements and a common set of rules.
A core focus for Rugby League is the delivery of community outcomes. We aim to create, deliver and promote programs that provide positive community outcomes through the use of current and former players who inspire others; through social inclusion programs, and a focus on building positive legacies in our communities. A number of our programs and initiatives specifically target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We want Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to feel a sense of pride and opportunity in relation to Rugby league and we want to be recognised nationally for the promotion of community harmony through our All Stars events and activities associated with our RAP. Across Rugby League we have a total workforce of 325 permanent fulltime and part-time staff supporting our great Game. Of these 10 identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, working in areas of Community, Player Welfare & Education and Game Development.
Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council membership: The Hon. Linda Burney MP (Chair) Mr Darren Godwell (Deputy Chair) Prof Ngiare Brown Mr Joshua Creamer Ms Katrina Fanning Mr David Peachey Mr Paul Ralph Mr Stephen Tillett Mr Rod Jensen (QRL) Mr Dennis Moran (CRL) Mr Ricky Walford (NSWRL) Mr Dean Widders (NRL) Indigenous Players Advisory Group: Greg Inglis Nathan Merritt George Rose Timana Tahu Sam Thaiday Joel Thompson Johnathon Thurston
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Rugby League’s RAP journey
In 2008, Rugby League was the first national sporting code to develop and implement a RAP. Now embarking on our third RAP, we are in a unique position to harness the relationships we have built with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Rugby League’s 2008 RAP was based on respect for difference, cultural understanding, positive role models and providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to succeed. Since the beginning of our reconciliation journey we have been building on these principles and establishing lasting relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations around Australia. In 2013, Rugby League embarked on a journey with the support of PwC’s Indigenous Consulting to review the success of its second RAP and to develop this current edition. Lead by the NRL’s Head of Community, Adam Check and General Manager, Community, Mark deWeerd, a whole of game approach to the development of the RAP was ensured. This process was conducted with guidance and direction from the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council.
In 2014 and into the future, Rugby League strives to be recognised nationally for making a positive difference in the community and for speaking out on issues of social significance. There is little more important issue in Australia than the disparity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community in outcomes in health, education and employment. Our RAP, championed by NRL CEO, Dave Smith and ARLIC Chair, Linda Burney, provides Rugby League with a mechanism for improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and perhaps more importantly, to acknowledge, celebrate and respect our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, supporters and staff as Australia’s First Peoples. RAP progress will be monitored and outcomes reported by the ARLC RAP Working Group, consisting of (but not limited to):
• NRL Head of Community; • NRL Head of Strategy & Investment • NRL General Manager People & Culture; • State League CEO representative; • Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council representative
Our key achievements 2010-2013
• Showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s talent and the growth of women’s participation with inclusion in the Harvey Norman All Stars and as a curtain raiser to a Australia v New Zealand Test Match
• Specific community programs improving health,
education and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth
• Procurement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Our 2010-13 RAP continued to build on the success of our first RAP by strengthening the involvement and input of Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples in our game, including:
• A proactive Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council (ARLIC), providing strategic advice and being engaged in decision making on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander involvement at all levels of the Game
• Indigenous All Stars event that grows from strength to strength with continual growth of crowds and television ratings
• Introduction of the Festival of Indigenous Rugby League, which will take place every four years following the Rugby League World Cup
• A Welcome to Country taking place at all major NRL events
• Support for the national Close the Gap campaign
Islander business services, including Mirri Mirri Productions, Arthur Beetson Foundation and PwC’s Indigenous Consulting
• In excess of $7M invested into NRL club-based community programs as a result of All Stars
• Introduction of an Indigenous Leadership Youth Summit as part of All Stars Week
• Strengthening of partnerships with State and
Federal Governments to deliver health, education and employment outcomes
• Development of corporate partnerships focussed
on overcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage
• Support for major State-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rugby League carnivals
This RAP continues to extend on our achievements to date, setting targets and committing to the further growth of our previous RAP activities.
through a dedicated Round
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Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
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CASE STUDY:
Indigenous All Stars Nothing in the Australian sporting calendar can be compared to the Harvey Norman All Stars. Since its inception in 2010, the Harvey Norman All Stars game remains a regular feature in the Rugby League Calendar with continued growth and support for both the week leading into and the match itself. Each game has been played in front of huge crowds and has been watched on average by well in excess of a million people across the nation.
Funds raised from the Harvey Norman All Stars match have provided over $7million in funding to the 16 NRL Clubs for the purpose of delivering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific programs at the grassroots level. Program activities include assisting students with learning, behaviour and attendance at school; oral health and hygiene awareness; leadership and mentoring; health and drug education; school to work transition and goal setting and decision making. All Stars also provides an excellent platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players to demonstrate their skills on the big stage. This is not only for our elite players, but the annual women’s and u16s games and the highly popular Interstate Challenge, where the best of our NSW and Queensland Indigenous carnivals compete in an Origin like play-off.
The week leading into the game is a celebration of Rugby League’s commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to the broader Rugby League community. A calendar of public events, talks and local engagement, focusing on developing understanding, embracing the pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ heritage and raising awareness of reconciliation issues in Australia are enthusiastically embraced by players and staff from both the Indigenous All Stars and NRL All Stars team.
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Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
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CASE STUDY:
School to Work program The Learn Earn Legend! School to Work (S2W) program is the flagship community-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program for the National Rugby League. S2W is an aspirational mentoring program that utilises the positive profile of Rugby League to deliver meaningful education and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. The program is the result of a partnership between the NRL, NRL Clubs and the Australian Government to improve employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the development of the Learn Earn Legend! strategy and connection with NRL’s Indigenous All Stars team.
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Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
S2W is a holistic program that targets Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 11 and 12 and is currently delivered by eight NRL Clubs – Brisbane Broncos, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Gold Coast Titans, North Queensland Cowboys, Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers. The specialist staff employed to deliver the program set high expectations for the participants, and have supported more than 3,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to achieve their career goals. The Game has established effective partnerships where all stakeholders have a mutual interest in delivering and achieving meaningful outcomes. Rugby League is directly linked with schools, universities, Registered Training Organisations and over 2,000 employers across the country, including major employers such as Telstra, Coles, Accor Hotels, Holden and Qantas as well as local small and medium sized businesses located within the NRL Club catchment areas. Our partnerships have been essential in delivering information to assist our participants make informed choices to complete their schooling and make a seamless transition into post-secondary employment and/or study.
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CASE STUDY:
Key outcomes for the camp included:
Indigenous Player’s Camp
• Group unity and development of a support system; • Stronger understanding of the role of welfare
As a lead into the 2013 Harvey Norman All Stars, 46 players representing 14 NRL clubs attended the inaugural NRL Indigenous Players’ Camp at Pelican Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast. Designed to reconnect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players with their heritage and cultural history, day one saw players take part in a cultural tour where they were welcomed onto Gubbi Gubbi land at a traditional Bora Ring by local dancers before participating in a smoking ceremony. Players engaged in cultural activities including spear throwing, woomera making, Torres Strait islander singing and a Corroboree.
and education in a player’s career;
• Greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history; • Challenges faced and barriers that have
been removed by our Elders that have led to opportunities for players today;
• Awareness of key issues in Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander communities and how important role models are for their communities;
• Importance of bettering yourself off the field and be a champion for your families and communities; and
• Opportunity for self-reflection an self-awareness. A second NRL Indigenous Players Camp was held in February 2014, with plans for the camps to remain an annual event.
Day two of the camp involved a series of presentations from guest presenters on topics such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander politics, history, , current issues in communities, cultural connection, Aboriginal warriors and a self-reflection session with ARL Commissioner Dr Chris Sarra. Players were encouraged to open up to each other and in doing so created a sense of unity among the group.
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Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
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Relationships
FOCUS AREA:
A key objective of the ARLC is to ensure that Indigenous communities will feel a sense of pride and opportunity through their involvement in the game. Critical to achieving this objective is the building of meaningful and sustainable relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations.
FOCUS AREA:
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Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Target
1. Maintain and build on the ARLC RAP Working Group (RWG) to actively monitor the implementation and progress of the ARLC’s RAP
Head of Community
December 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
• Ensure the RWG meet at least four times a year to discuss the implementation and progress of the ARLC’s RAP
2. Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players are supported and have a voice in the game
Chief Operating Officer
December 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
• Coordinate opportunities through provision of travel and administration to enable the Indigenous Players Advisory Group (IPAG) to meet quarterly • IPAG to meet with NRL CEO and ARLIC annually to discuss opportunities and issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players at all levels of the game • Ensure 80% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players report, through an annual survey, feeling supported and like they have a voice in the game • Recruit Indigenous Welfare Officers to provide support and advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players • Continue to conduct NRL’s annual Indigenous Players Camp
3. Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and issues are represented across all levels of the game
Head of Community
November 2015
• Continue to support ARLIC through the provision of travel and administration support to enable them to provide high level strategic advice • ARLIC to report annually to the ARL Commission • NRL Executive and State League CEOs to report to ARLIC on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rugby League matters at each meeting
Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Target
4. Develop strategic partnerships that work towards overcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage
Head of Community
July 2015
• Identify and develop a list of organisations that ARLC could build strong mutually beneficial partnerships with including relevant State and Federal agencies to address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, education and employment • Continue to build and strengthen existing strategic partnerships • Deliver programs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across regional and remote Australia, particularly focusing on communities with low health, education and employment outcomes
5. Celebrate and acknowledge the importance of National Reconciliation Week (NRW) by providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and other employees with the opportunity to build relationships within their communities
General Manager People & Culture
27th May-3rd June 2015, 2016, 2017
• ARLC to organise and host one internal event during NRW • Encourage all NRL and State League employees to attend and participate in at least one external NRW event • Encourage NRL Clubs to host NRW events at matches during the relevant round • Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW Fact Sheet to all employees • Register all National Reconciliation Week events on Reconciliation Australia’s website to capture participation and support • Require all NRL clubs to develop a RAP in partnership with Reconciliation Australia
6. Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities through the promotion of Rugby League
Head of Community Head of Media & Communications Head of Marketing
December 2015
• ARLC’s marketing and media strategy to include a specific focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples perspectives and issues • Develop a Community Engagement Strategy, including regular community visits by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players as a way of giving back to communities and promoting the game • Employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ambassadors to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities • Organise at least one NRL match each year in an area with a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population • Engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media organisations to promote Rugby League and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific events
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Respect
FOCUS AREA:
Recognising that respect is a core value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the ARLC firmly believes in its place within our Reconciliation Action Plan. Promoting and growing respect towards Australia’s first peoples is not only the right thing to do, it also encourages reconciliation and develops an inclusive and positive culture.
FOCUS AREA:
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Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Target
1. Engage employees in cultural learning to build respect and appreciate the diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
General Manager People & Culture
July 2017
• Deliver cultural awareness and education program and ensure 100% of staff are reached throughout the RAP period • Ensure at least 25% of NRL employees participate in cultural awareness training annually • Develop and implement a cultural learning training strategy for Rugby League staff • Promote “Reconciliation Australia’s” Share Our Pride website to all NRL and State League employees and Rugby League Clubs
2. ARLC to embed cultural protocols within the organisation and observe cultural protocols across NRL games and significant events
General Manager People & Culture Head of Community Head of Media & Communications
September 2014
• Establish and implement a cultural protocols policy across Rugby League • Within the cultural protocols policy, senior leaders will be encouraged to personally reply to a Welcome to Country • All Employees encouraged to use established cultural protocols around Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country • Conduct an Acknowledgement of Country at all community events • Organise for a Traditional Owner to provide a Welcome to Country at significant events • All staff email signatures to include an Acknowledgment of Country • Rugby League Central to display Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander acknowledgement statement
Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Target
3. Provide the opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and other employees to celebrate and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through NAIDOC Week events
General Manager People & Culture
July 2015, 2016, 2017
• All ARLC staff will have the opportunity to attend at least one Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander event per year • All NRL games will have a Welcome to Country during NRW and NAIDOC • ARLC to contact national NAIDOC Week Committee to discuss mutually-beneficial opportunities • Provide ARLC employees with the opportunity to participate in their local NAIDOC Week events
4. Continue to organise an Indigenous Round to acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and players
Head of Community Head of Football
December 2014
• All NRL games will have a Welcome to Country during Indigenous Round and observe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols • Identify and contact a sponsor or community group to partner with for NRL’s Indigenous Round
5. Support key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social initiatives/campaigns
Head of Community
December 2014
• Establish partnership with the Recognise Campaign to support Constitutional Recognition • Establish partnership with AHRC to support anti-racism campaign
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Opportunities
FOCUS AREA:
The ARLC is aware that the passion that exists for our game gives us the opportunity to lead by example and influence the wider community on current issues. We acknowledge that this is a unique position and that by increasing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples we are able to promote reconciliation and improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Target
3. Increase supplier diversity by providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses to supply goods and services to the NRL
Head of Commercial Chief Operating Officer
July 2015
• Develop a list of key suppliers that staff can engage with to procure goods and services from • Engage with a minimum of three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to supply goods and services • Review and adjust procurement policy to address any barriers in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers
4. Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation and engagement across all aspects of the game
Head of Football State League CEOs
December 2015
• Data sets to be established on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation across all NRL and State League activities, including volunteering, refereeing, coaching and administration • Develop and implement a strategy for increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation, including women • Increase percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players at an elite level to 15%
5. Develop an Elite Pathways program aimed at young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players
Head of Football State League CEOs
December 2015
• Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players within junior Rugby League competitions such as SG Ball, Harold Matthews, Cyril Connell, Mal Meninga and National Youth Competition • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elite junior and senior players to be supported by Welfare Officers and mentoring programs to ensure 100% engagement in education, training or employment
6. Develop a framework in partnership with an appropriate third party to ensure the ARLC’s investment in community programs is achieving intended outcomes
Head of Community
July 2015
• Identify an appropriate organisation to partner with to establish the community investment framework • Develop an evaluation framework to assess the impact of Rugby League on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities • Use findings from evaluation framework to develop and publish a report around the impact of Rugby League in communities
7. Support and promote major Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rugby League carnivals to encourage and facilitate growth and professionalism
Head of Football State League CEOs
October 2014
• Provide professional and technical support to organisers with a focus on football operations • Develop and implement talent identification in conjunction with carnival organisers • Promote upcoming Rugby League carnivals through ARLC communication platforms • MOUs developed with carnival organisers • Continue to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander State Rugby League Carnivals
FOCUS AREA: Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Target
1. ARLC will continue to commit to supporting the Indigenous All Stars and associated initiatives
Head of Commercial Head of Community Head of Football
February 2015
• Develop a strategy for implementing support to Indigenous All Stars • Organise All Stars Week that promotes health, education and employment initiatives and messages • Invest profits from All Stars activities in community programs aimed at promoting Rugby League and addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage • Increase national focus on the All Stars Week by actively engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and mainstream media to promote the event • Investigate the opportunity to introduce initiatives aimed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth • Commit to delivering the Festival of Indigenous Rugby League in line with the Rugby League World Cup
General Manager People & Culture
December 2016
2. Increase recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Rugby League
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Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
• Develop and implement an Indigenous Employment Strategy across Rugby League • Increase employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to 5% • Advertise all identified positions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media channels • Develop and implement professional development plans for existing and new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff • Develop a strategy for successful recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff • Consult with existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees on the recruitment and retention strategy • Monitor and report on recruitment and retention rates annually
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Tracking progress and reporting
Focus area:
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Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Target
1. Report achievements, challenges and learnings to Reconciliation Australia for inclusion in the Annual Impact Measurement Report
Head of Community
December 2015, 2016
• Complete and submit the RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia annually
2. Prepare and publish yearly RAP progress report in ARLC Annual Report
Head of Community
December 2015, 2016
• RAP Progress Report to be included as part of ARLC Annual Report. • Publish RAP Progress in any community publications
3. Refresh and update a new RAP for ARLC
General Manager People & Culture Head of Community
July 2017
• Refresh, update and launch a new RAP for ARLC based on learnings, achievements and challenges from this RAP • Construct draft RAP and forward to Reconciliation Australia for formal endorsement
Australian Rugby League Commission Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2017
List of Indigenous All Stars
MEN 1. Preston Campbell 2. Nathan Merritt 3. Ty Williams 4. Beau Champion 5. Wendell Sailor 6. Scott Prince 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. George Rose 9. Ben Jones 10. Carl Webb 11. Cory Paterson 12. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs 13. Sam Thaiday 14. Jamie Soward 15. Yileen Gordon 16. Greg Bird 17. Jharal Yow Yeh 18. Travis Waddell 19. Joel Thompson 20. Blake Ferguson
WOMEN 21. Willie Tonga 22. Jamal idris 23. Ben Barba 24. Ryan James 25. Matt Bowen 26. Joel Moon 27. Anthony Mitchell 28. Greg Inglis 29. Justin Hodges 30. Chris Sandow 31. Andrew Fifita 32. Nathan Peats 33. Reece Robinson 34. Aidan Sezer 35. Joel Romelo 36. Jake Foster 37. Dane Nielsen 38. Timana Tahu 39. Jack Wighton
1. Tracey Thompson 2. Tyan Smith 3. Bianca Ambrum 4. Lavina Phillips 5. Candice Clay 6. Bo de la Cruz 7. Teresa Anderson 8. Pat Fraser 9. Naomi Bobongie 10. Eunice Grimes 11. Yvone O’Neill 12. Chloe Caldwell 13. Kylie Pennell 14. Julie Young 15. Rachel Moreton 16. Rosylyn Simpson 17. Kaitlin Moss 18. Natasha Baggow 19. Natalie Gala 20. Taleena Simon 21. Sarah Sailor
22. Amber Saltner 23. Rebecca Young 24. Elsja Mosby 25. Ashleigh Singleton 26. Myisha Saltner 27. Sarah Hamilton 28. Jaylene Chevalier 29. Kandy Kennedy 30. Ashley Monkland 31. Mahalia Murphy 32. Theresa Anderson 33. Emma Young 34. Rosie Parsons 35. Nakia Davis-Welsh 36. Caitlin Moran 37. Natalia Wauchope 38. Tanisha Stanton 39. Kiah Simon 40. Tallisha Harden 41. Karlinda Potts 42. Mel Sutton
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For all enquiries please contact: Mark deWeerd General Manager Community Culture & Diversity (0)2 9359 8500 mdeweerd@nrl.com.au