Stories

145 years. That is how long it has been since an indigenous sports team last represented Australia overseas.

In that time the rights of Indigenous Australians have grown significantly, world wars have been fought and Australian Rules football has grown from a concept to the most popular and profitable sport in the country.

This year’s International Rules team is the first of its kind in AFL history and the series against Ireland was a celebration of Indigenous culture on an international stage.

There were 79 Indigenous players on AFL lists in 2013, just three shy of the peak of 82 indigenous players in 2009. The 79 indigenous players on AFL lists come from 48 different aboriginal cultural groups of varying sizes across Australia.

Sydney Swans captain Adam Goodes represents the Andyamathanha group of central South Australia and former Hawk turned Swans teammate, Lance Franklin, represents the Wajuk group from Perth.

These players are proud of their aboriginal heritage and some such as Goodes truly embrace it and use their celebrity status as professional athletes to benefit the Indigenous community as a whole.

Until now Indigenous footballers have not been able to come together and play for their country overseas. In 1983 a once-off Indigenous All-Stars team was formed and the concept was brought back in 1994, but again as a once-off and both times on home soil.

In 2003, a biennial series began featuring the Indigenous All-Stars playing an AFL club in Darwin or Alice Springs. Whilst this is a great concept, the games have only recently become televised and gain very little exposure when compared to International Rules series’.

Former Carlton and Essendon player, Cory McGrath, was a part of the 2005 Indigenous All-Stars team and represented his side in indigenous round on a number of occasions. McGrath says expanding the Indigenous All-Stars games was important and should continue in future.

“The boys certainly love playing in that game, so from that point of view it’s a great concept” – Cory McGrath.

“The boys certainly love playing in that game, so from that point of view it’s a great concept. The AFL could improve their celebrations of indigenous culture by playing the game in different cities rather than always holding it in Darwin. The players want to have the opportunity to play in other cities as well.”

Cory McGrath’s younger brother Ash currently plays for the Brisbane Lions and represented Australia in this year’s International Rules series in Ireland. The elder McGrath says his brother benefited greatly from the tour.

“It was a great experience for him and the guys to go over and be a part of such a unique series.”

Australia’s Indigenous culture is something that is rarely showcased overseas and there has never been a sporting event involving aboriginal footballers quite like this year’s International Rules series. Many foreigners would be aware of the British colonisation of Australia, but unaware of aspects of our Aboriginal history.

Whilst a sporting event cannot act as a history lesson, it can lead to improved international ties with our indigenous community.

One of the continued supporters of the International Rules series and key organisations behind the growth of the Indigenous All-Stars team is the AFL Players’ Association.

The Players’ Association collaborated with the AFL in organising the Indigenous All-Stars tour of Ireland and they have worked tirelessly to help Aboriginal players and strengthen ties with the indigenous community.

An AFL Players’ Indigenous Camp has been set up as well as an Advisory Board made up of current Indigenous footballers.

A key figure in the creation of these programs has been AFL Players’ Association Indigenous and Multicultural Manager, Kelly Applebee.

Applebee showed her support for the series and spoke about the process of sending the Indigenous All-Stars overseas.

“The AFL has listened to a number of the key Indigenous players requesting that they play together more as a group. Whether it’s through the international series or whether it’s through something else.”

“I definitely think there is a want and a need for the Indigenous All-Stars to play together more often.”

It is not hard to see why there is a need to play together when you see aboriginal teammates arm in arm walking off the field after a hard fought win, or making a beeline for their Indigenous opponents for a handshake or a hug after a game.

This is not to say that the colour of their skin separates them from the rest of the group – far from it – but there is a special bond between aboriginal teammates.

Indigenous players representing their country internationally can also send an important message to young Aboriginal Australians, many of whom may feel locked into their native country because of their strong family ties.

Many indigenous Australians feel a responsibility to stay as close as they can to their family, sometimes in very rural areas as evidenced by former Melbourne player Liam Jurrah. Seeing Indigenous athletes playing the game they love overseas could offer them hope of experiencing the world beyond their native country.

Kelly Applebee is working hard to ensure more young aboriginal footballers come into the league in her role at the AFL Players’ Association.

“Statistics show there’s been a decrease in Indigenous players coming through, but from all reports there’s a lot of young Indigenous talent on the rise, so hopefully through this draft we’ll see a lot of Indigenous players be picked up,” she says.

“Through some of the work that we’re doing, hopefully that will assist in retaining those numbers and supporting our Indigenous players through the club system and making sure they can maximise their football career.”

Cory McGrath knows what it is like to come into the league as a young Indigenous footballer and whilst he thinks Indigenous footballers have all the physical tools to succeed, they can run into some other hurdles.

“I think the physical aspect is fine, it’s the mental aspect of being involved in the AFL that takes some getting used to.”

“The AFL is a pretty stressful environment. Stressful for everyone that’s involved. Not just for Indigenous players, but for everyone that’s in the league.”

If the league and the AFL Players’ Association can continue to work with young Indigenous players and their families and educate them about the demands of playing in the AFL, the number of Indigenous AFL footballers should continue to rise.

This would then pave the way for more electrifying talent in our great league and more Indigenous representative football on the international stage in the near future.