Is the AFL doing enough to support Indigenous talent? Report

[Dogwatcher]

Commissioner 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

[westcoastpanther]

Is enough being done to support Asian talent?

Is enough being done to support Sudanese talent?

Is enough being done to support Greek talent?

Sick of this crap freeloaders

[carey]

Is enough being done to support Asian talent?

Is enough being done to support Sudanese talent?

Is enough being done to support Greek talent?

Sick of this crap freeloaders

Best post I've ever seen on this forum!

[Sky Pilot]

Bernie Vince gets wrapped over the knuckles, publicly ridiculed and copped a two match ban after dropping his daks in a private function. Liam Jarrah is accused of attacking his cousin with a machete and received a standing ovation when he turned up to training at Melbourne shortly after. So yes, I do think indiginous players get ample support

[Zelezny Chucks]

Commissioner 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.

So isn't what he's doing being discriminatory to people not of an Aboriginal background?

It should be about giving them a fair go in comparison to everyone else not to give them extra chances/help compared to everyone else.

[Baron Greenback]

Is enough being done to support Asian talent?

Is enough being done to support Sudanese talent?

Is enough being done to support Greek talent?

Sick of this crap freeloaders

Spot on.

[Bum Crack]

watch out everyone. Now's about the time someone jumps onto this thread and gives you a three paragraph lecture about how harshly these youth are done by. Sure as hell won't be me though.

[HH3]

Commissioner 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.

Isnt this part of what Matt Rendell suggested and got sacked over?

Its ok if they say it I guess...

[saintal]

Commissioner 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.

Isnt this part of what Matt Rendell suggested and got sacked over?

Its ok if they say it I guess...

Does sound awfully similiar. I guess Eddie is referring more to players already drafted, while Rendell was more looking at potential draftees.

[Baron Greenback]

Commissioner 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.

Isnt this part of what Matt Rendell suggested and got sacked over?

Its ok if they say it I guess...

Does sound awfully similiar. I guess Eddie is referring more to players already drafted, while Rendell was more looking at potential draftees.

I reckon Rendell spoke about both.

[Media Park]

Great thread.

[scoob]

You guys dont know how hard these lads have it and what they have to go through.

[RustyCage]

A program like this should be open to anyone who has difficulty in transitioning from country life to big city life and shouldn't discriminate based on race, like this guys plan does

[Psyber]

A program like this should be open to anyone who has difficulty in transitioning from country life to big city life and shouldn't discriminate based on race, like this guys plan does

Well put!
"Positive Discrimination" is a term used to "whitewash" self-interest and discrimination..

[whufc]

A program like this should be open to anyone who has difficulty in transitioning from country life to big city life and shouldn't discriminate based on race, like this guys plan does

exactly!!!!!!!

[whufc]

You guys dont know how hard these lads have it and what they have to go through.

waa waa waa,

you should see how hard i have it compared to Andrew McLeod! wheres my support!

[Q.]

Yeah, because moving from English-speaking Kimba to Melbourne is the same as moving from Yuendemu to Melbourne.

Some people have NFI

[whufc]

Yeah, because moving from English-speaking Kimba to Melbourne is the same as moving from Yuendemu to Melbourne.

Some people have NFI

Yeah because Aboriginals are the first sportspeople who go to different speaking places to play sport.

I have never seen an African footballer move to England to play Soccer, or Brazillians come to Adelaide to play for Adelaide United.

[scoob]

I think we owe it too them to ensure they are looked after and are able to adapt to their new surroundings.

[Q.]

Aboriginals aren't coming from overseas. They are actually Australian ya know.