Message from Jamie O'Connor

It is with great pride that I introduce Touch Football Australia’s inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Our Reflect RAP is an important stage in our commitment to respectfully recognise and celebrate our history and connection to our Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander heritage. While the sport is formally recognised as being founded on the Eora nation in 1968, variations of the sport can be linked back to traditional
Indigenous games such as buroinjin; a ball game played by the Kabi Kabi people of south Queensland.

While it is important for us to recognise and celebrate our history, it is equally important that we look to the future; to make sure that we forge deeper
connection with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and to make sure greater opportunity exists for Indigenous people to engage with our sport.
That means more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people playing, refereeing, coaching, and administering our sport from grass roots to the boardroom.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have a life expectancy that is 8 years shorter than non-indigenous children, are overrepresented in the criminal justice
system and have high rates of suicide. Sport is proven to have a positive effect on physical health and mental wellbeing; our sport can have a significant impact on
the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Together we can do our part in Closing the Gap.

Our Reflect RAP is the first stage in delivering on our commitment to being Australia’s most inclusive team sport. I am honoured to be championing Touch Football Australia’s Reflect RAP, leading the change and positively impacting our communities.

Jamie O’Connor
Chief Executive Officer
Touch Football Australia