The outcome for the player is ultimately how well they prepared and dotted their I’s and crossed their T’s.”To address this question with Indigenous players, Narkle upholds the Indigenous tradition that culture is passed on through telling stories – “it’s not about questions and answers” – and so both he and the club must avoid the information overload that can leave players tired and confused or suffering from a lack of passion, interest, understanding and commitment to the game.“I tell the players that their experience is like a book with a beginning, middle and an end,” he explains, “and this could be your story. Get exclusive insight from top organisations worldwide onJoin our exclusive community of 600 leading global performance organisations to target all aspects of high performance and challenge thinking with access to© 2020 Leaders. Narkle, who was in attendance as an Eagles representative, takes up the story: “It was revealed that the players wanted to be heard but had no one they felt comfortable talking to at their club. no comments . As of the end of the 2015 season, a total of 224 players have played at least one senior game for the West Coast Eagles, an Australian rules football team in the Australian Football League.A number of other players were listed (or are listed) with the club for periods of time without making their debut, some of whom played at senior level for other AFL teams. Other concerns might be peer pressure or use of social media, as well as problems in their relationships or the issues of family members. To help personalise messages and provide a safer experience, we use cookies. Indigenous Players Board.
Pictured wearing the Eagles' 2018 Indigenous Round guernseys, prior to the team's training session at Optus Stadium ahead of their game against St Kilda during the AFL's Indigenous Round. “Not only should they have built lasting friendships but they will be more aware of the coaching and career opportunities available to them in football and even the business and employment opportunities beyond.”The primary modes by which Narkle and the West Coast Eagles provide opportunities for their Indigenous players are the ‘Our Dreaming Pathway’ and Cultural Awareness Training [CAT] programs.“It stems from our understanding that Indigenous players need more nurturing and more time to develop an understanding of what it takes to be an AFL player,” explains Narkle. CAT is more widely aimed at non-Indigenous employees who: “work closely with Indigenous people are especially vulnerable to the effects of workplace stress or anxiety and may be working with limited culturally-appropriate resources.”When those resources are not in place it can become quite taxing on the individual: “In doing this type of liaison role it can sometimes trauma with their own issues and own healing. Indigenous Players Board. “They are able to provide a service to a diverse range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through their own experiences. Ally Anderson Brisbane Lions. Designed by former Crow Eddie Hocking, the club's first Indigenous player, the guernsey represents Hocking's journey with the Adelaide Football Club. Jarrod Harbrow Gold Coast Suns.
There is also support offered to non-Indigenous employees and Narkle delivers presentations detailing how to engage and communicate with Indigenous players.“Coaches and staff must take the time to develop relationships with the players that are both equal and genuine – this will ensure that meetings are not tokenistic,” says Narkle. When it comes to working with Indigenous communities, players and their families, he suggests seeking the guidance of Indigenous co-workers. This can involve non-Indigenous people participating in Indigenous cultural activities and supporting Reconciliation through getting involved with our RAP Working Group.” The idea is to offset unconscious biases towards Indigenous people and, in the case of players in particular, to prevent coaches and staff suffering from the ‘halo effect’ – another cognitive bias in which a person’s overall impression of another person influences how they think or feel about that person’s character.The club also informs its staff that: “Indigenous people live under two legal systems, British-based Australian legal system and a ‘Traditional’ lore system, which could impact on different aspects of an Indigenous player’s life, which can affect their mental aptitude and their ability to train and play football at the elite level.”This was uppermost in Narkle’s mind when authoring Narkle lays out guidelines to be followed by West Coast Eagles staff, outlining their responsibilities.
Anything less would see the club fall short of its stated core values: ‘We are United, We are Passionate, We are Professional’.In 2009, West Coast made history in appointing Narkle, their former midfielder, as Indigenous Liaison Officer and he would become the first full-time ILO at an AFL club.His role is largely two-fold.
These include the ‘welcome to country’ – also known as the ‘traditional welcome’ – which allows the Traditional Owners of a region to give their blessing for an event to take place on their land. “Meetings with our Indigenous players are structured to allow time for story sharing.”The Leaders Performance Institute asks Narkle what have been his proudest achievements as an ILO and he points to his efforts to overcome initial scepticism on the staff and the ever-improving retention rates of Indigenous players and staff.“I have been employed at the club for ten years and given the best of my service with this great club,” he tells us with genuine pride. On top of that they must fit into a playing group that has its own internal dynamics.” Narkle will be a particularly visible presence in their club lives at this stage.Next is the ‘middle’, as the player continues to establish themselves as part of the club’s culture in the face of the myriad temptations that come with being an AFL player, from nightlife to drugs or alcohol. By clicking continue or navigating the site, you agree to the use of cookies on your device. Lewis Jetta, Willie Rioli and Liam Ryan talk to Craig O’Donoghue about life as Indigenous players in the AFL system. West Coast Eagles Western Bulldogs afl.com.au ... Fremantle have had 35 Indigenous players pull on the jumper and Freo have had at least one Indigenous player on the field for every game except in round eight, ... Fremantle flew to the Gold Coast ahead of there round 15 clash against Richmond.