Is the AFL doing enough to support Indigenous talent? Report
Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:27 amCommissioner calls on AFL to do more to retain Indigenous talent
Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Eddie Cubillo, has called on the AFL to develop Indigenous communal boarding houses in each AFL city to close the cultural-gap and help retain top AFL talent.
Commisisoner Cubillo made the comments in an article published in the Indigenous Law Bulletin, titled 'Are indigenous players still discriminated against? Does the current AFL player welfare system lead to discrimination against indigenous players, and if so what steps can be taken to close the gap?'
Commissioner Cubillo listed examples of racial vilification, increased levels of scrutiny and the stark cultural difference between remote Northern Territory communities and large cities such as Melbourne as significant challenges faced by Indigenous players and motivators behind his proposal to develop Indigenous boarding houses.
"Unfortunately, despite greater education towards tolerance of persons of all races, racial vilification still happens in the AFL... It is timely to consider whether more can be done to address more entrenched and subtle discriminatory attitudes and practices," said Commissioner Cubillo.
Commenting on Indigenous talent retention, the Commissioner noted that one of the greatest challenges facing Indigenous players was adjusting to life in a 'foreign' city such as Melbourne.
Commissioner Cubillo said that while the efforts of the AFL to provide assistance through the employment of welfare managers should be recognised, "it was clear that having access to a counsellor may not be enough."
To retain Indigenous talent "one option would be to develop and implement a communal apartment/boarding school style complex in each AFL city in which Indigenous draftees can stay and receive support, irrespective of which team they play for," Commissioner Cubillo wrote.
"The provision of this type of complex would allow the employment of staff/housekeepers who are familiar with the cultural issues experienced by young Indigenous people. Meals and transport to and from training could be arranged, along with other measures that would give the Indigenous players every opportunity to succeed," said Commissioner Cubillo.
This issue will only increase in importance as the number of Indigenous AFL players continues to expand.
"Despite Indigenous Australians making up only 2.5% of the Australian population there are 78 Indigenous players on AFL club lists in 2012. This amounts to 10 per cent of all AFL players, a number that is likely to increase as the AFL expands," said Commissioner Cubillo.
To access a copy of Commissioner Cubillo's article click here: http://www.ilc.unsw.edu.au/sites/ilc.un ... ubillo.pdf
Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Eddie Cubillo, has called on the AFL to develop Indigenous communal boarding houses in each AFL city to close the cultural-gap and help retain top AFL talent.
Commisisoner Cubillo made the comments in an article published in the Indigenous Law Bulletin, titled 'Are indigenous players still discriminated against? Does the current AFL player welfare system lead to discrimination against indigenous players, and if so what steps can be taken to close the gap?'
Commissioner Cubillo listed examples of racial vilification, increased levels of scrutiny and the stark cultural difference between remote Northern Territory communities and large cities such as Melbourne as significant challenges faced by Indigenous players and motivators behind his proposal to develop Indigenous boarding houses.
"Unfortunately, despite greater education towards tolerance of persons of all races, racial vilification still happens in the AFL... It is timely to consider whether more can be done to address more entrenched and subtle discriminatory attitudes and practices," said Commissioner Cubillo.
Commenting on Indigenous talent retention, the Commissioner noted that one of the greatest challenges facing Indigenous players was adjusting to life in a 'foreign' city such as Melbourne.
Commissioner Cubillo said that while the efforts of the AFL to provide assistance through the employment of welfare managers should be recognised, "it was clear that having access to a counsellor may not be enough."
To retain Indigenous talent "one option would be to develop and implement a communal apartment/boarding school style complex in each AFL city in which Indigenous draftees can stay and receive support, irrespective of which team they play for," Commissioner Cubillo wrote.
"The provision of this type of complex would allow the employment of staff/housekeepers who are familiar with the cultural issues experienced by young Indigenous people. Meals and transport to and from training could be arranged, along with other measures that would give the Indigenous players every opportunity to succeed," said Commissioner Cubillo.
This issue will only increase in importance as the number of Indigenous AFL players continues to expand.
"Despite Indigenous Australians making up only 2.5% of the Australian population there are 78 Indigenous players on AFL club lists in 2012. This amounts to 10 per cent of all AFL players, a number that is likely to increase as the AFL expands," said Commissioner Cubillo.
To access a copy of Commissioner Cubillo's article click here: http://www.ilc.unsw.edu.au/sites/ilc.un ... ubillo.pdf
freeloaders