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Reconciliation Action Plan

West Coast Eagles are committed to Reconciliation and are unapologetic in our progress towards a reconciled Australia. We will use our influence to have a greater social impact, promote truth telling and champion anti-racism to our membership and the Australian football public. 

We will be brave and authentic in our actions, and work with the right partners to become a destination club for First Nations players and members, and employer of choice for First Nations Australians. 

Our vision for reconciliation is to lead our organisation and members to have a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through breaking the cultural barriers within the Australia Football League.

We are proud of the achievements, growth and continued hard work our staff, volunteers and players to make a difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples now and in the future. We recognise there is still significant work to do but we are incredibly excited to join our passionate supporters in celebrating the reconciliation journey we are on together.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Welcome to Country is performed during the 2023 AFL Round 11 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Essendon Bombers at Optus Stadium
RAP History

Our inaugural Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was consultatively and collaboratively developed in 2014. The process was facilitated by specialist consultants, former West Coast Eagles premiership player, Craig Turley (Principal Moodjarlea Community and Indigenous Relations Consultants) and Simon Forrest (Elder in Residence - Curtin University and longest-serving Aboriginal academic in Western Australia). It involved a comprehensive internal assessment of existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs, partnerships and commitments, together with extensive internal engagement and consultation, and the formal establishment of a Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group.

Our club’s second and third Reconciliation Action Plans were developed in partnership with the Waalitj Foundation to build on the solid foundation of the inaugural plan, with input and feedback from the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group and Waalitj Foundation staff to extend our commitment to Reconciliation. West Coast Eagles established the Waalitj Foundation in 2005 and it remains a wholly owned subsidiary of the Club.

Our current Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan for May 2025 through until December 2027 is built upon four pillars of Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance. These pillars closely align with our Club values of Belonging, Honesty, Elite Standards and Shared Ambition, while our long-standing commitment to reconciliation stands alongside our overall vision of Progress. This RAP was developed in consultation with community leaders Collene Castle (Menang Ngundju Noongar) and Andrew Beck (Ngadju Mirning Noongar).

What is a Reconciliation Action Plan?

A reconciliation action plan provides a framework and plan for West Coast Eagles to turn good intentions into measurable actions that support First Nations people achieve equality in all aspects of life — a goal which benefits all Australians.

The RAP provides a framework which covers the activities that we know can make a difference:

Relationships - good relationships are based on trust, understanding, communication and mutual respect.

Respect - respecting the special contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Australia.

Opportunities - working together to ensure Indigenous children have the same life opportunities as other children in this prosperous country.

The RAP program is one of the largest of its kind in Australia and possibly the world. Reconciliation Australia gathers data from the RAP community annually and there is strong evidence that RAPs are making a significant contribution to closing the gaps in education, employment and health.