The AFL Players’ Association is proud to launch its 2025 Indigenous Player Map, ahead of Sir Doug Nicholls Round and National Reconciliation Week.
The map showcases the cultural diversity within the playing group, with this year’s map featuring 59 language groups of 63 AFL and 22 AFLW current players.
This year marks 20 years of the Indigenous Player Map, with the first edition having been published in 2005 and updated on a regular basis since.
More than 350 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players have been featured on the map since its inception, representing more than 140 language groups.
“Our game’s greatest strength is its diversity, and the Indigenous Player Map is a powerful reminder of the incredible contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players continue to make to the AFL,” said Jason Mifsud, Chair of the AFLPA’s Indigenous Advisory Board.
“This map not only celebrates our First Nations athletes – it educates, connects and honours the cultural richness they bring to the game, which is, at its heart, the Indigenous game of our nation.
“But visibility alone is not enough. We must ensure Indigenous voices are genuinely heard across the industry, and that every First Nations player is respected and protected in their workplace.
“There is still important work to be done.”
Sir Doug Nicholls Round runs across Round 10 (15-18 May) and Round 11 (22-25 May). 2025 marks the 19th year the industry has had a dedicated Indigenous Round, and the 10th year it has been named in honour of Sir Doug Nicholls.
National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June, and is this year themed Bridging Now to Next, reflecting the ongoing connection between past, present and future, and calling on all Australians to continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.