AFL Queensland has been named among 23 finalists in the 2019 Multicultural Queensland Awards, recognised for their outstanding work promoting inclusion and diversity.
Nominated in the Minister’s Choice Category for Outstanding Engagement, AFL Queensland has demonstrated excellent engagement through the Multicultural Ambassador Program and Multicultural Action Plan (MAP), the first sport in Queensland to publish a dedicated strategy ensuring all Queenslanders belong.
Along with their MAP, AFL Queensland also run the Everyone Matters Program—a Queensland school curriculum program for Year 4 students. The program is a celebration of multiculturalism and promotes inclusive behaviours, positive relationships and valuing diversity, while using AFL as a vehicle for learning.
AFL Queensland State Manager- Game Development & Diversity, Mark Ensor, said he was proud and honoured to be a finalist amongst such wonderful organisations and individuals.
“Our Multicultural Action Plan is a dedicated strategy ensuring all Queensland belong,” Mr Ensor said.
“The plan runs parallel to the Multicultural Queensland Charter and supports our vision of being the most progressive and accessible team sport in Queensland.
“Our Multicultural Action Plan takes an innovative and productive approach to drive the principles of the Multicultural Queensland Charter at a grassroots level, being a role model for inclusion and celebrating diversity through sport,” Ensor added.
“Throughout the plan we have 25 initiatives, ensuring that all our initiatives directly relate with one of the eight Queensland Multicultural Charter principles.
“We are proud that AFL Queensland’s aspiration goals run parallel to the principles of the Multicultural Queensland Charter.”
This year AFL Queensland have been running education sessions across their Community Football Clubs in South East Queensland. These education sessions are aimed at building cultural capacity within community clubs which will foster inclusive and welcoming environments at local community club. Following the session, each club will make a pledge about inclusion and stamping out racism.
Winners of the Multicultural Queensland Awards will be announced during Multicultural Queensland Month at a ceremony on 30 August 2019 at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane.
