WA Cricket has committed to creating a community that champions respect, belonging and equal opportunity for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Western Australia as a key part of its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Click here to view WA Cricket’s Reflect RAP
Developed by WA Cricket’s RAP Working Group and the WA Aboriginal Cricket Advisory Committee which is co-chaired by WACA Chair the Hon. Tuck Waldron and newly appointed WACA Board Director Professor Colleen Hayward AM, the RAP is the first step in WA Cricket’s commitment to implementing reconciliation initiatives and strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people.
WA Cricket’s Reconciliation Action Plan, which has been formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, is known as a Reflect RAP because it focuses on developing solid foundational actions to ensure WA Cricket’s future RAPs are meaningful, mutually beneficial and sustainable.
The 60-page document, which covers the period of May 2022 to May 2023, details more than 60 commitments and actions across the areas of relationships, respect and opportunities that support WA Cricket’s purpose of connecting WA communities through cricket.
The WACA Ground Improvement Project aligns with a cultural narrative developed by Dr. Richard Walley OAM, which will inform decisions on artistic and landscaping choices to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which the Ground resides.
Central to this narrative is a Mandala artwork that tells the story of the past, present, and future of the land, and the people who have used the land surrounding the WACA Ground. The mandala will feature on the shirts of all WA Cricket staff and the WA player media polos.
WACA Chair, the Hon. Tuck Waldron highlighted WA Cricket’s commitment to respectfully engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and stakeholders.
“As a leading sport and community organisation, WA Cricket is committed to using its influence and profile to create long-lasting change and make a real contribution to reconciliation and unity.
“Through our people, our programs, our leadership and our work, we will continue to ensure all who follow our game know where we stand on equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
“We are committed to recognising, respecting and advancing the specific contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have made to the development and success of WA Cricket.
“We acknowledge the importance of making a real contribution to reconciliation in this country, our commitment to reconciliation has never been stronger.”
Professor Colleen Hayward AM, the first Aboriginal to be appointed to the WACA Board said;
“As a proud Nyoongar woman, I have been pleased to be part of WA Cricket’s Reconciliation journey and this Reflect RAP is a particularly crucial step in that journey.
“WA Cricket delivers on programs that enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to benefit from being involved in cricket and this RAP demonstrates a genuine commitment to continue to build on what has been achieved.
“With this RAP, WA Cricket is committed to doing more to acknowledge the contributions made by Indigenous communities, not just in the game of cricket but to our broader culture and society and develop pathways and opportunities for Indigenous Australians in cricket.”