Australian Football

Australian Football League, opens in a new tab (AFL). Aspires to continue to showcase the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within Australian Rules Football and to connect with Indigenous communities across Australia.

• The Game Development Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan (2025 – 2028), opens in a new tab will provide a consistent, systematic framework and direction to realise the AFL's vision nationwide. The primary emphasis of the action plan is to take a place-based, community co-designed approach, focusing on specific Local Government Areas (LGAs). To achieve this, AFL Community Connect programs will be delivered in 18 priority LGAs across Australia in partnership with a range of community organisations.
  • Resources, opens in a new tab to help clubs create more culturally safe and inclusive organisations and environments.
  • AFL PLAY Community Connect, opens in a new tab is a fun, inclusive way for children and families to come together, learn new skills, and build lasting friendships, on and off the field. These programs are co-designed with local communities to reflect local values, culture, and needs. Every session is safe, welcoming and flexible, giving families the freedom to Play Their Way, no matter your background or experience.
• Social Emotional and Cultural Wellbeing Framework, opens in a new tab, AFL, (2024). Developed to guide and support all AFL/AFLW Club and Industry members to understand the importance of social emotional and cultural wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and staff. It also aims to support the design, development, and implementation of cultural wellbeing support systems, culturally responsive health and wellbeing services, and the practices of Indigenous Player Development Managers.
• Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, opens in a new tab. In 2025, the AFL celebrated the 19th year of having a dedicated Indigenous Round and its 10th year bearing the name of Sir Doug Nicholls. Since 2014, all AFL clubs have worn specially designed guernseys during Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Each year, clubs design their own unique guernsey, often working with Indigenous artists & designers, with significant stories behind each design.
  • Honourees, opens in a new tab. Each year, the Sir Doug Nicholls Round also celebrates a different Indigenous icon of our game.
• Indigenous.AFL hub, opens in a new tab, (accessed 14 August 2025). Provides information and articles on Indigenous greats of the game, Indigenous All Stars, NAIDOC Week events, and more.
• AFLW Indigenous hub, opens in a new tab, (accessed 14 August 2025). Provides information and articles on team names, logos, and guernsey designs for the Indigenous Round, AFLW Honourees, and more.

Northern Territory

AFL Northern Territory - Remote projects, opens in a new tab. By harnessing the passion for Australian Rules Football, remote-based football initiatives are delivered by AFLNT to save extensive and dangerous travel time to access structured and supported sporting environments. Remote based football programs allow people to play their sport of preference on country of significance without the potential distractions of urban locations. All football initiatives are participatory driven to include; children, youth and adults (males and female) in various programs. Football activities involve targeted messaging and specific programs based on advice from community elders, funding bodies and service providers. The remote projects are delivered in a culturally sensitive manner with consideration for local customs, traditions and cultural practices.

Michael Long Foundation, opens in a new tab. Funds education and football programs for Indigenous people. This is achieved primarily through the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre (MLLLC) managed by AFLNT. The Foundation aims to enhance young Indigenous lives with unique and dedicated education programs that focus on cultural connections, health, wellbeing, employment and leadership through harnessing the power of AFL football in the Northern Territory.

Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program, opens in a new tab, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, (accessed 19 August 2025). The team uses sport to engage young people where they are, with what they love. Right Tracks empowers young people to become leaders in their community, and promotes putting your education, wellbeing, family and community first.

• Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks program secures $57 million donation, opens in a new tab, Jackson Clark, National Indigenous Times, (21 February 2025). The Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks program has received a mammoth $57 million donation from Queensland construction magnates. The Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks program is a partnership between Central Australian Aboriginal Congress and the Central Australian Football Club, which utilises sport to encourage the development of healthy individuals and communities.

Queensland

AFL Cape York, opens in a new tab. The purpose of AFL Cape York Game Development program is to enhance the life skills of Indigenous Australians and increase the participation in sport through the AFL Game. The program has grown from not just encouraging AFL participation but more importantly offering AFL as a vehicle to create personal and community change. AFL Cape York staff encourage participants to go to school, say no to substance abuse and other drugs and discuss the negative affect violence is having on communities. Annually, AFL Cape York engages over 12,000 Participants face-to-face through our Game Development Team via Sport Education (In-School), Auskick (After-School), Kick and Catch, Crusader Cups (Development and Representative Pathways), Community Engagement Sessions and Coach Education Programs.

South Australia

Aboriginal Power Cup, opens in a new tab, Port Adelaide Football Club, (accessed 13 August 2025). Established in 2008, this is a joint initiative with the Attorney-General's Department, and is an education-based strategy that engages First Nations secondary school students in their education and career pathways with a competitive AFL carnival as its centrepiece. To be eligible to attend the carnival, students must meet the 80% minimum school attendance requirement and rank highly in both the academic and behavioural components of the program.

Victoria (VIC)

Rumbalara Football Netball Club, opens in a new tab (Rumbalara FNC) is an Aboriginal community run sporting club located in Shepparton, Victoria. It is dedicated to strengthening the community and bringing families together through strong vibrant leadership. It is a place of belonging, a place that people of all ages and backgrounds can call their own.

Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI), opens in a new tab. A centre of cultural strength and learning for Indigenous youth within the Richmond Football Club. Established in 2011 they offer leadership and sport programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.

Western Australia

Nicky Winmar Carnival, opens in a new tab is an annual round robin tournament targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male youth aged 13 to 15. The tournament features teams representing both metropolitan and regional WA. The carnival provides members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community with a direct opportunity to Participate in a structured WA football marquee event; Achieve coaching and umpiring accreditation; Re-engage with educational and sport participation programs; Connect with AFL/WAFL mentors and role models; Potentially be identified for WAFL development pathways.

Kirby Bentley Cup, opens in a new tab (WA) is a 12-a-side round robin tournament for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls aged 13-15 years old. The Kirby Bentley Cup provides young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls with a great opportunity to put their skills on display, be linked to local female football clubs and be identified for the state talent pathway.

Other

AFL Players Association, opens in a new tab strives to support the industry to provide an inclusive environment for all AFL and AFLW players to thrive within. Over many years, the PA has worked with Indigenous people to help educate the AFL industry on the unique challenges faced by Indigenous players and put support mechanisms in place to help them develop as both footballers and people.

• Players Launch 2025 Indigenous Map, opens in a new tab, (15 May 2025). The AFL Players’ Association is proud to launch its 2025 Indigenous Player Map, ahead of Sir Doug Nicholls Round and National Reconciliation Week. The map showcases the cultural diversity within the playing group, with this year’s map featuring 59 language groups of 63 AFL and 22 AFLW current players.
• Many Stories, One Goal – Supporting Indigenous Footballers, opens in a new tab, AFL Players Association, (updated 2016). Resource was developed by the nine-member Indigenous Advisory Board and built from the stories and experiences of every Indigenous player in the game and key stakeholders within the industry. The policy is built around four key pillars; Induction, Professional Development, Personal Support and Our Culture – areas identified as vital to developing an environment that best supports Indigenous footballers throughout every stage of their playing career and beyond.

SportsReady, opens in a new tab. Provide entry-level training and support programs that combines practical work experience with vocational education, helping young Australians kick-start their careers while supporting employers to build skilled and qualified workforces.

• The Warumilang Program, opens in a new tab is a dedicated to assist First Nations peoples with tailored employment and training pathways that aim to provide opportunities to thrive and be successful.