Following extensive review, Football Federation Australia today announced the existing National Club Identity Policy will be replaced.
FFA Chief Executive Officer David Gallop said the review, which included consultation with clubs, Member Federations, the PFA, the Association of Australian Football Clubs and over 700 submissions received from the wider football community, found support for change.
“Over the past three months, we have spoken to a cross section of the football community and it was clear that the majority of our stakeholders felt it was important we acknowledged the contribution many communities across Australia have made to their clubs, whilst still promoting inclusion and diversity,” he said.
FFA Chairman Chris Nikou said the Board of Directors, at its recent meeting made the in-principle decision to replace the existing NCIP with a new Diversity and Inclusion Policy
The new policy will be built on some core principles and strike a balance between a number of elements including:
The importance of football embracing the wider community and of clubs, as the lifeblood and shopfront of the game, being accessible, embracing and truly representative of their geographical regions
Recognition of the heritage of clubs and the significant contribution of particular communities within the broader community to the development of individual clubs and the game as a whole
The state of maturity of the game and its clubs and the importance of clubs reflecting the face of modern Australia
The imperative for football as a game and its clubs more specifically to meet community standards and expectations, commit to and enact values based on tolerance, openness, diversity and inclusion
The need for appropriate measures to ensure commitment by all parties to upholding these shared standards and values.
Mr Nikou said before finalising the changes, FFA would undertake further consultation with key experts in the fields of diversity and inclusion.
“It is important the new policy considers where and how to strike the appropriate balance between promoting openness, inclusivity and diversity on the one hand whilst providing Clubs the opportunity to recognise their history and the communities that have contributed to their development on the other,” he said.
