Hawthorn Football Club has launched its second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
This formal declaration demonstrates the club’s commitment to recognise and celebrate First Nations people, promote reconciliation, and foster a deeper understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, cultures and histories.
Importantly, the enhanced RAP forms part of Hawthorn’s wider First Nations strategy, which is guided by the club’s First Nations Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee has been established to ensure the club always remains a culturally safe workplace as well as providing independent advice to the Board.
After achieving many actions and activities within Hawthorn’s inaugural Innovate RAP, including several that have been made part of the club’s core business, the impact of COVID-19 resulted in some items pending completion. With that in mind, Hawthorn has made the conscious decision to consolidate its progress through a second Innovate RAP for 2024-2026 to position the club strongly in its ambition to elevate towards a Stretch RAP in 2027.
Hawthorn’s vision for reconciliation is that all Australians understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and contributions, whilst fostering a culturally safe and nurturing environment for all past, current and future players, staff and fans.
Hawthorn has identified five areas for focus within its First Nations Strategy to guide the club on its journey towards reaching its vision for reconciliation:
- Understanding the past to create a pathway for the future
- Addressing racism and making change
- Ensuring cultural safety at Hawthorn Football Club
- Embracing the First Nations Community
- Providing code leadership
Within the strategy, this Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is Hawthorn’s statement of commitment to advancing the interests and outcomes for First Peoples under the pillars of Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance.
Hawthorn President Andy Gowers said:
“At Hawthorn, our commitment is to continually listen, learn and ensure our environment is one that is culturally safe for all. This is how we create a club that delivers positive social outcomes and creates an environment that helps First Nation’s people thrive.
“This 2024-2026 Innovate RAP sets out a clear, practical plan that makes sure Hawthorn has a roadmap to reconciliation with the actions we take as a football club. It also allows us to acknowledge and honour the contribution and impact First Nations people have on our club and community, past, present and future.”
Hawthorn Chief Executive Officer Ash Klein said:
“This is Hawthorn’s formal commitment to make every possible effort to drive reconciliation at all levels of the organisation. Our Innovate RAP provides the important framework for us to continue these important steps on the journey towards a better future.
“We make no secret of our ambition to be aspirational, aiming high and creating an environment for our First Nations people to thrive, whilst also inspiring change across the league and being leaders in this space into the future.”
To learn more and view the RAP, visit Hawthorn's Reconcilation Hub.
