Racism continues to be a significant concern for First Nations AFL players, while Indigenous AFLW players report markedly poorer workplace experiences than their peers, according to a new AFL Players Association Insights and Impacts Report.
The report surveyed AFL and AFLW players including First Nations and culturally diverse athletes and found stark differences in how Indigenous women experience the game compared with the broader playing group.
Indigenous AFLW players rated their workplace culture at just 6.95 out of 10, well below the AFLW average of 7.28. When asked whether their club “cares about me as a person,” the score for Indigenous AFLW players dropped to 7.57, compared with 9.05 across all AFLW players.
By contrast, Indigenous AFL players rated their workplace culture at 8.28, almost identical to the 8.27 average among all men’s players highlighting a gendered divide in cultural safety and support.
The report also identified the main sources of racism experienced by players:
Social media abuse including direct messages
Media coverage
Spectators at games
Additional sources included teammates, club staff, opposition players and staff, and the AFL itself.
When asked whether responses to racist incidents were “sufficient,” players expressed deep dissatisfaction.
70% of AFL players and 100% of AFLW players said responses ranged from “somewhat” sufficient to “not at all.”
A striking 67% of AFLW players said the response was non‑existent.
The findings paint a troubling picture of cultural safety within the AFLW, suggesting that while progress has been made in the men’s competition, Indigenous women continue to face significant barriers.
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