Ex-Tiger urges an AFL indigenous repPeter Hanlon
June 29, 2011MICHAEL Mitchell believes the AFL's latest racism incident merely underscores the need for an indigenous commissioner, who, he says, could use the game's unrivalled exposure to improve health and education for Aboriginal people, and promote greater acceptance and understanding in the football community and beyond.
The former Richmond star, who works for the West Australian government establishing a statewide indigenous mental health program, said Western Bulldog Justin Sherman would benefit greatly from learning the true story of contemporary Aboriginal Australia.
''If he knew the circumstances Aboriginal people live in - and not just Aboriginal people, impoverished people living on and below the poverty line - he would be horrified,'' Mitchell said.
''They give exposure like no other people can, (but) you don't see the sad side of town … through the eyes of the AFL, the images are always kids laughing, playing, near water, kicking footy. That is not the situation for a lot of Aboriginal kids.''
The 49-year-old Sandover medallist, who played 81 games for the Tigers, called on the AFL to mirror the 10 per cent-plus representation of indigenous players in the game with a comparable investment in improving the lives of Aboriginal Australians. ''We need to educate and provide better health outcomes so more Aboriginal men can grow up in a climate without trauma, and go on to play this great game,'' Mitchell said. ''An indigenous commissioner would drive spending in the right areas.''
Mitchell said Sherman's abuse of a Gold Coast opponent, and instances of racism by spectators at AFL and VFL matches this year, showed that ''people are still thinking it without voicing it''.
''Obviously there has to be massive education, but not just turn up and tick the box. It has to be ongoing and mandatory at all levels of the game, and revisited regularly.
''Don't get me wrong, they're doing a great job, but they could be doing an even better job. There's a lot of organisations doing great work that haven't got the resources, and the AFL can help with that.''
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/extiger-urges-an-afl-indigenous-rep-20110628-1gp54.html#ixzz1QaaRsIe6
