Hawthorn Football Club unveils updated Reconciliation Action Plan, aiming to provide ‘leadership’ in AFL

Hawthorn has unveiled an updated Reconciliation Action Plan that promises to address racism and make changes as well as understand the past to create a pathway for the future.

The Hawks are still embroiled in a long-running racism saga that made its way to the Federal Court.

Serious allegations of unlawful discrimination were first levelled against former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, as well as former Hawks welfare manager Jason Burt and ex-Hawthorn football manager Chris Fagan, via a bombshell ABC report in 2022.

Cyril Rioli, who played in four premierships at the Hawks, is the lead applicant in a statement of claim lodged in the Federal Court against Hawthorn.

The Hawks commissioned and released the findings from a cultural safety review in 2022 to investigate allegations of systemic mistreatment of First Nations players at the club.

An AFL investigation produced no adverse findings against Clarkson, Fagan and Burt, and all three vehemently deny any wrongdoing.

On Wednesday afternoon, Hawthorn unveiled its latest Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in which it identified five areas of focus within its First Nations Strategy.

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 was established to ensure Hawthorn “always remains a culturally safe workplace as well as providing independent advice to the board”.

“At Hawthorn, our commitment is to continually listen, learn and ensure our environment is one that is culturally safe for all,” Hawthorn president Andy Gowers said in a statement.

“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 says its vision for reconciliation is 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.