THE CARLTON Football Club is excited to provide an update on the recently completed Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Launched in March 2023, and going through to March 2025, the RAP aimed to create opportunities for the Club and community to not only support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and cultures but also create a space of learning and accepting.
The Club is pleased to announce that 95.3 per cent of the RAP deliverables were completed on time and in line with the Club’s five-year strategic plan, United by Navy Blue.
These deliverables included creating a stand-alone anti-racism policy, meaning rather than anti-racism being housed within another policy, it is now its own separate policy within the Club.
This is in line with the Club developing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, attraction and retention strategy.
Last year, Carlton launched the inaugural Club-run First Nations initiative, Loorende-gat Business and Entrepreneurship Program, the Woi wurrung word for ‘guidance’, to increase networks, business skills and self-determination for 40 First Nations business owners annually.
The program, proudly supported by Club Co-Major Partner Great Southern Bank, saw Carlton and its large corporate network share their skillsets with First Nations businesses and entrepreneurs, with 100 per cent of the participants affirming the program contributed to the improvement of their own skillsets and networks while being in a culturally safe environment.
The Club proudly partnered with Kinaway Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, to increase supplier diversity and expand its corporate networks with First Nations businesses, whilst also providing critical direction and support for the Loorende-gat program.
Carlton also provided structured cultural understanding and awareness education to all players and staff, along with creating engaging opportunities for staff, players, partners and the wider community to celebrate First Nations cultures through Sir Doug Nicholls Round, AFLW Indigenous Round, National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
For the first time in the Club’s history, the four football programs (AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW) all wore the same Indigenous guernsey for Sir Doug Nicholls Round and AFLW Indigenous Round, celebrating Wiradjuri culture, not only across the guernseys, but through gift exchanges, language and theming.
Carlton Football Club CEO and Club RAP Champion Brian Cook said the Club is very proud of the achievements of the Reconciliation Action Plan.
“We are proud of the milestones our club has reached as we come to the conclusion of the Club’s third Reconciliation Action Plan,” Cook said.
“When we launched in 2023, we said we were committed to playing an active role in the advancement of reconciliation throughout Australia, whilst assisting in delivering positive life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“Today’s announcement is a testament to our ongoing dedication to fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and understanding towards First Nations peoples and their culture.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone in the RAP working group, Committee and broader Club who have contributed to the RAP over the last three years. I also want to acknowledge our RAP Advisors Shelley Ware and Syd Jackson for their significant guidance over the past decade. We are currently developing our next RAP, which will have a continued focus in creating a positive impact with First Nations communities.”
You can access information on the 2023 – 2025 RAP here.
