Andrew Krakouer, Leon Davis take on new roles to help Collingwood combat racism

Two former Collingwood stars who walked away from the club over its handling of racism allegations have returned to help the Magpies deal with the problem.

Andrew Krakouer and Harry O'Brien. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Collingwood has welcomed back former stars Leon Davis and Andrew Krakouer as it looks to further embed the recommendations from the explosive Do Better report into racism at the club.

It was announced in April that Davis and Krakouer had, along with fellow former Pie Heritier Lumumba, “officially terminating all communications” with the club amid allegations that the club had failed to address past incidents of racism.

But in a significant move to repair the relationship, Davis will be employed full-time at Collingwood to assist the club “with its commitment to building a culturally safe environment for all staff and players”.

Krakouer will also be employed in support to Davis.

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“The Collingwood Football Club remains absolutely committed to listening and learning from all players and staff – past and present – to ensure past mistakes are not repeated,” club president Jeff Browne said.

“Racism is never OK and we will continue to listen and learn from both former players – we apologise for the racism they both suffered – and we look forward to their input which will be invaluable to the club.

“The hurt racism causes runs deeper than the individuals involved so I want to thank both Leon and Andrew for speaking up about their experiences – it can be incredibly difficult for people who experience racism to share it and speak about it.”

Both will begin their roles immediately.

Leon Davis is returning to Collingwood.

Davis, who played in the club’s 2010 premiership, said his direct experiences with racism both while playing and throughout his youth had inspired him to work for change.

“This is a community issue, a nation-wide issue and ultimately a world issue and we must do better to stop racism. I am pleased to have a role where I am now encouraged to implement and drive cultural change, and know I have the full support of all those at the club in doing so,” he said.

“l want to use my experiences of racism to better educate the community and better equip everyone with the knowledge, tools and education around our country’s true history and why we still face the issues we do in today’s society.

“We have the oldest living culture in the world and I encourage everyone to take it upon themselves to delve into that and to learn more about it.

“I’m pleased to be back.”

Andrew Krakouer with former Collingwood teammate Heritier Lumumba in the 2011 grand final.

Club chief executive Mark Anderson said “one of the learnings from the Do Better Report is we may not be able to fix what someone went through from the past, but view it as an opportunity to learn – that is what we are trying to do here”.

“As we enter this next phase of embedding the Do Better recommendations across our club, we are pleased to have Leon and Andrew provide their expertise and cultural insights to the work and programs that have been established,” he said.

“We remain absolutely committed to working with other clubs, and the AFL, to do better.”

Krakouer said he wanted “my children to grow in an environment where there are no barriers to achieving success”.

“I want my community to be strong and to be proud and I want the game of Australian Football – the game I love – to be welcoming of First Nations people at all times, on and off the field and in the stands,” he said.

“I want us to keep striving to be better.”

Originally published as Andrew Krakouer, Leon Davis take on new roles to help Collingwood combat racism