Collingwood given road map to wipe out ‘racism’

Collingwood has been given strict targets to meet in an effort to wipe out “systematic racism” within the club.

Collingwood President Eddie McGuire. Picture: AAP

Collingwood has been given strict targets to meet 18 recommendations to tackle “systemic racism” within the club, with an expert anti-racism group to be established within three months.

The damning 35-page review, by the University of Technology Sydney’s Larissa Behrendt and Lindon Coombes, has called for the club to overhaul its values, complaint policies, recruitment and community leadership.

An “implementation time frame” splits the 18 recommendations into five priority groups to be tackled within the next year – and then every year.

FIRST THREE MONTHS

The review has recommended Collingwood establish and resource an “Expert Group on Anti-Racism” to help the club’s board roll out the recommendations. It also recommended that the club “integrate concepts of anti-racism and inclusion as qualities inherent in the Club’s values, including the concept of excellence and the goal of winning”.

The board and chief executive have also been challenged to develop ways to proactively respond to racism, after the review found “Collingwood’s response has often been perceived as one where claims of racism are dealt with in terms of damage control and protecting the brand, rather than seeking to address issues and make change”.

FIRST SIX MONTHS

A “Board audit” should be undertaken within six months, according to the review, to make sure members “through their behaviour and beliefs” reflect the club’s diversity goals and embrace anti-racism and inclusion principles.

The review has suggested that the board be held to account through an employment strategy with key performance indicators.

“This includes the player group and the coaching staff,” the review said.

FIRST NINE MONTHS

Prof Behrendt and Prof Coombes recommended Collingwood roll out an “education and induction” program for board members and staff on the club’s employment and anti-discrimination policies, “to ensure compliance with legal obligations in relation to a safe workplace”.

While recruiting players, coach, staff and board members, the Pies should also “assess” the candidates “genuine support of the Club’s values and anti-racism”.

FIRST 12 MONTHS

The club should create a “clear pipeline” into the Holden Centre for the development of talent from diverse communities. It should proactively support recruiting “First Nations and people of colour into post-playing positions”, particularly coaching.

The review has challenged Collingwood to address “the past” as part of its education programs and develop a process of “truth-telling” to understand the impacts of racism.

The review was scathing of the club’s handling of racist incidents, saying those who chose to speak up “paid a high cost”.

The professors have recommended the Pies develop a strategy to “address and reconcile past acts of racism in a way that is proactive and seeks to reward, not punish, people who speak out against racism”.

The Expert Group on Anti-Racism should also, the review says, proactively support the “concepts of anti-racism and inclusion throughout the Code”.

EVERY 12 MONTHS

The review has called for its final two recommendations to be carried out every year. It includes a “regular audit” of its employment and anti-racism policies. A yearly report on whether the club is meeting the 18 recommendations should also be presented to the Expert Group on Anti-Racism.

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Originally published as Collingwood given road map to wipe out ‘racism’