AFL boss Andrew Dillon calls on all 18 clubs to improve Indigenous and culturally diverse environments
AFL boss Andrew Dillon has written to all 18 club presidents and CEOs asking them to think about how they can improve their Indigenous and culturally diverse environments.
In the wake of the Willie Rioli saga at Port Adelaide, and in the first of two weeks celebrating Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, Dillon has asked clubs to do more.
In a lengthy memo, which has been seen by 7NEWS, Dillon says: “I write to each of you to seek an important contribution from all clubs in addressing the issue of respectful behaviours in our game
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“There has been much focus and discussion this past week on how the AFL has responded to allegations of inappropriate conduct by AFL players, on and off field.
“Opinions reasonably differ to the appropriate response to such allegations, but I think we will all agree that our game must be a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, where diversity of our participants is welcomed and celebrated, not vilified. Specifically, there is no place for racism anywhere, at any level or operation of our game.
“That focus has opened up important conversations — and I want to acknowledge the Port Adelaide Football Club for leading a vital part of this — about how we listen, how we support Indigenous players, how we support all players, and how we can keep improving collectively.
“I want to be really clear — racism is not okay, whether that is on the field, in the community, online, anywhere and at any time. It is not okay.”
Dillon went on to list a number of measures the league has taken to “have environments where everyone can be the best that they can be”.
The list included mandated training for AFL staff, accreditation training for community coaches including a module on vilification, diversity clauses in the broadcast deal, and increasing the prevalence of Indigenous voices in the governance of the game, among other measures.
But he said there is more to be done, and is asking for help from the clubs.
“It is not work that the AFL can do alone — it is also work for clubs, for players, for coaches, for all of us — it’s an all of industry approach that we are going to need to continue to make our game the best it can be for all the men and women who play at the elite level,” Dillon went on.
“To progress that discussion, I invite each of you to consider your viewpoints on these matters including:
“• What more we can do as the AFL, Clubs, players and coaches to improve our elite environments for Indigenous and culturally diverse players, and players of colour;
“• What we can ask of our media partners to play their role in creating a better environment for all, assisting in constructive commentary that avoids the potential of further harm:
“• While there is an unfortunate global trend of abuse of elite athletes, particularty Indigenous and culturally diverse athletes, across all online media, it doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t attempt to make positive change. How can we continue to work with the E-Safety commissioner and how can we campaign directly with the platforms to help mitigate the risk.
“We will communicate shortly the mechanism for you to formulate your ideas/discussion points, and we will then report back to presidents and have a further in-depth conversation at our next CEO’s meeting including our thoughts on next steps for discussion.”
