TFA Launches Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan

This NAIDOC Week, Touch Football Australia (TFA) is proud to launch our second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), reaffirming our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outcomes and advancing reconciliation in Australia. 

Developed by our Reconciliation Action Plan Panel (RAPP) chaired by Australian Men’s Coach and proud Waka Waka man, Phil Gyemore, TFA’s RAP is a key part of our inclusion strategy demonstrating our commitment to developing and engaging approaches to reconciliation and advocating this to participants throughout Australia.  

TFA’s inaugural Reflect RAP was endorsed in 2021 with the organisation successfully completing the requirements and progressing to the next stage of our journey, this commitment to an Innovate RAP. 

TFA's Innovate RAP provides a comprehensive roadmap and 74 deliverables that the organisation is committed to achieving over the next two years.  

Key objectives of the new plan include: 

• Respect and Recognition: TFA is committed to recognising and respecting the diverse cultures and histories of Australia's First Nations people. The plan emphasises the need to acknowledge and celebrate First Nations people’s contributions to Touch Football and Australian society.  
• Education and Awareness: TFA will promote education and awareness about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history, and the impact of colonisation. By providing training and resources, TFA seeks to increase knowledge and understanding among its stakeholders.  
• Engagement and Participation: The plan highlights the importance of increasing the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders at all levels of Touch Football. TFA intends to actively engage with these communities, provide opportunities for involvement, and ensure an inclusive environment for players, coaches, and officials. 
• Employment and Governance: TFA will enhance employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the organisation. This includes creating pathways for career development and leadership roles, as well as promoting diversity in governance structures. 

Since the introduction of our first RAP in 2021, TFA has increased our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and cultural initiatives through formal recognition at all events and within organisational collateral, commitments to cultural events including NAIDOC and National Reconciliation Week, the National Indigenous Touch Football Knockout and commitment to Touch Football’s participation in the NRL All Stars initiative. 

TFA CEO Jamie O’Connor said “Reconciliation is an essential process that seeks to heal the historical wounds and bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. With 9% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation, we have an important role to play in acknowledging the injustices of the past and actively working towards fostering mutual respect, understanding, and equality." 

“I’m proud of our organisation’s achievements to date, but we have a long way to go and that’s why we’re committed to our RAP journey and seeking the advice from our RAP Panel and Action Group members along with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who continue to be instrumental in this process.”    

TFA’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan can be viewed here.