The Richmond Football Club has cemented its commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and celebrating diversity by launching its inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

In a launch at the Swinburne Centre on Thursday morning, the Club announced the three-year plan (2019 - 2021) to provide communities that often experience exclusion, greater access to participate in the football industry.

Representatives from all areas of the Club, as well as stakeholders and partners contributed to creating the plan, which will largely focus on four communities – women (gender equity), people with disability, people with diverse sexuality and/or genders, and people who are culturally diverse.

Four key themes will underpin the Club’s efforts to provide greater inclusion and celebrate the diversities of our communities, with a number of outcomes and actions in the areas of Thriving & Participation, Equitable Services & Spaces, Advocacy & Leadership, and Developing a diverse & aware Workforce.

Richmond CEO, Brendon Gale said the Club’s diverse staff, players and communities it works with is one of its greatest strengths.

“We know that football and sport has the powerful ability to connect people and communities, and our new Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan will guide us to empower those who might normally miss out on those experiences,” he said.

“While we still have a lot to learn in terms of understanding the differing needs of our communities, this plan is a commitment to provide opportunities to those that are disconnected or under-represented.

“Achieving the outcomes of this plan will not only make us a better, more connected football club, but we hope it will also make us a more connected community.”

Richmond’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan will extend to its football and community programming which includes AFLW, Wheelchair Football team, the Bachar Houli Foundation and Richmond Emerging Aboriginal Leadership program, as well as its partnership with Midsumma.

Click here to download the Plan.