Inside exchange between Heritier Lumumba and Jeff Browne as Lumumba lands new job working in international rugby

Collingwood has disputed claims there was a tense exchange between Heritier Lumumba and Magpies boss Jeff Browne at Nicky Winmar’s healing ceremony.

Collingwood premiership hero Heritier Lumumba has landed a new role in international rugby.

Lumumba, 36, has been appointed as director of high performance and strategic partnerships for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s National Rugby Federation.

The 2010 All-Australian, who resides in Los Angeles, will spend lengthy periods of the year living in the emerging rugby nation in central Africa.

DR Congo, formerly known as Zaire, was admitted as a World Rugby associate member alongside Egypt and Syria last year.

Lumumba, who is Congolese-Brazilian, spent time at the Melbourne Rebels this week and will work with several US sporting teams, including the LA Lakers, before taking up the position.

The former Magpie plans to spend time “learning and familiarising himself with the Congolese sporting landscape” before helping to “formulate a strategic plan to help the development of rugby and more broadly, sport, in the Congo”.

Heritier Lumumba has landed a new job in rugby. Picture: Michael Klein

Lumumba at the Atherton Garden commission flats, where life started for him in Australia. Picture: James Rush

“Sport is one of society’s most powerful tools that can activate greatness within individuals, institutions and nations,” he said.

“Working in the DR Congo’s Rugby Federation offers enormous potential to harness the youth’s energy in a way that can truly transcend the sport.”

DR Congo’s women’s team has Olympic qualifiers in Zimbabwe in June and the men in Mauritius in September.

Regarding his fallout with Collingwood over allegations of systemic racism at the club, Lumumba said: “It was a nine-year battle of attrition that required a great deal of discipline, focus, and strategy. With that mission being accomplished and the chapter now closed, it has been refreshing to direct more energy towards new purposes”.

Collingwood president Jeffrey Browne tried to talk with Heritier Lumbumba on Victoria park & had a intense discussion with ex Gold Coast player Joel Wilkinson . Lumbumba said to respect his space before security intervened. #Winmar #30 anniversary pic.twitter.com/CL1C13jAWC

— Wayne Ludbey (@WLudbey) April 18, 2023

Lumumba attended Tuesday’s healing ceremony for St Kilda great Nicky Winmar at Victoria Park where he was approached by Pies president Jeff Browne.

“To be present at such a historically significant occasion was special,” he said.

“The ceremony not only honoured the inspirational legacy of Nicky Winmar and Gilbert McAdam, it provided a much needed sacred space of healing for the players that have endured the AFL’s rampant anti-black discrimination.

“Personally, I was not interested in entertaining anything other than that, so enforced boundaries accordingly.”

Collingwood says the door will always remain open for a reconnection with Lumumba but disputes claims there was a tense exchange between him and Browne.

It is understood that Lumumba and Browne had never met before with the Collingwood president respecting Lumumba’s wishes.

Lumumba attended a healing ceremony at Victoria Park. Picture: Getty Images

He did speak with Collingwood captain Darcy Moore.

The Magpies have described the healing ceremony involving Winmar, McAdam and a host of past Indigenous greats as a powerful night, which Browne and Moore were privileged to attend.

The pair had not intended to speak on the night, but were invited to say a few words about Collingwood’s ongoing commitment to cultural change.

The Magpies apologised to Winmar and McAdam last Sunday for the treatment they received in football, including at Victoria Park on that day in 1993, saying the club would continue to listen and learn.

Collingwood commissioned an independent review which resulted in the Do Better Report in 2020, with the club adopting all 18 recommendations.