The Geelong Cats have officially launched the third edition of their Reconciliation Action Plan.
 
The club’s inaugural RAP was launched in 2013, a second edition in 2014 and the third edition will carry through to July 2019.
 
The RAP outlines the club’s strategies which seek to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal communities, provide leadership in the area of Reconciliation, show respect and increase opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
 
The club is committed to contributing to Australia’s reconciliation journey and the RAP is a continuation of this commitment and will provide direction for wider initiatives and learnings over the next three years.
 
The latest edition of the RAP, which is aligned to the club’s Respect for Diversity policy, has been created and supported by the RAP working group which includes club staff and external advisers from local Aboriginal communities.
 
The RAP working group is supported by the club’s three Aboriginal players Steven Motlop, Nakia Cockatoo and Zac Bates as well as Darcy Lang who represents the club’s non-Indigenous players.
 
Steven Motlop, Nakia Cockatoo and Zac Bates also play a significant role in educating youth and raising awareness of the issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples particularly through the club’s community development programs.
 
“We are proud to present the third edition of our Reconciliation Action Plan,” Geelong Cats Chief Executive Brian Cook said.
 
“We aim to be a positive influence on reconciliation by role modeling how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are treated and respected within our community.
 
“Our first formal RAP was launched in 2013 but work started back in 2006 when Nathan Djerrkura took a number of players to Yirrkala, a well-known community in East Arnhem Land. The club has continued its connection with the community ever since.
 
“As an AFL club, we have a strong voice and our actions and efforts to build reconciliation is gaining momentum.”
 
The Geelong Cats are contributing to Australia’s reconciliation journey through the following activities and initiatives:

- The Gathering: together with our partner Target, the Gathering camp this year offered an Aboriginal art workshop for students in years 7-12. The art was proudly displayed during the club’s Closing the Gap round at Simonds Stadium and on the club banner.

- Cultural awareness training: the club has an ongoing commitment to building awareness of the issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This focus will continue across all levels of the club.

- Indigenous guernsey: the club’s Indigenous guernsey was designed by ex-Cat Nathan Djerrkura. It represents the land of which the fresh water and salt water people live on and have a close connection to.

- Acknowledgement of Country: the club is proud to have developed an Acknowledgement of Country which is displayed at all club events and Geelong Cats home games.
 
To hear our Acknowledgement of Country click here.
 
To view the latest Geelong Cats RAP for endorsement by Reconciliation Australia click here.