The West Coast Eagles Football Club is committed to Reconciliation and is unapologetic in our progress towards a reconciled Australia. We will use our influence to have a greater social impact, promote truth telling and champion anti-racism to our membership and the Australian football public.
We will be brave and authentic in our actions, and work with the right partners to become a destination club for First Nations players and members, and employer of choice for First Nations Australians.
Reconciliation is deeply instilled within the Club and its core values. Our vision for reconciliation is an Australia that embraces unity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.
We are proud of the achievements, growth and continued hard work our staff, volunteers and players to make a difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples now and in the future. We recognise there is still significant work to do but we are incredibly excited to join our passionate supporters in celebrating the reconciliation journey we are on together.
Our inaugural Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was consultatively and collaboratively developed in 2014. The process was facilitated by specialist consultants, former West Coast Eagles premiership player, Craig Turley (Principal Moodjarlea Community and Indigenous Relations Consultants) and Simon Forrest (Elder in Residence - Curtin University and longest-serving Aboriginal academic in Western Australia). It involved a comprehensive internal assessment of existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs, partnerships and commitments, together with extensive internal engagement and consultation, and the formal establishment of a Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group.
Our club’s second and third Reconciliation Action Plans were developed in partnership with the Waalitj Foundation to build on the solid foundation of the inaugural plan, with input and feedback from the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group and Waalitj Foundation staff to extend our commitment to Reconciliation. West Coast Eagles established the Waalitj Foundation in 2005 and it remains a wholly owned subsidiary of the Club.
This fourth phase will see the West Coast Eagles move to implement another Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan that will build on the achieved objectives of the previous Reconciliation Action Plans. This process is currently underway with the guidance of reconciliation specialists Wonnil Partners, the Eagles RAP committee and First Nations Elders in residence Uncle Simon Forrest, Aunty Vivienne Hansen and Reconciliation Australia.
The West Coast Eagles and The Waalitj Foundation have embarked on a path to develop their respective Reconciliation Action Plans, with a mutual commitment to reciprocal support across both organisations.
We are Waalitj Marawar – Eagles of the West
Collene Castle
Collene Castle is a strong Menang Ngundju Noongar leader. She is a highly experienced Human Resource Manager with excellent skills and knowledge in Workplace Inclusivity and Diversity, Indigenous stakeholder engagement, training/job readiness, Indigenous employment and partnership arrangements. Collene is currently a Director of Wonnil Partners and has previously worked with Water Corporation, Polytechnic West and Office of Aboriginal Economic Development.
Andrew Beck
Andrew Beck is a proud Ngadju Mirning Noongar man. He has worked in the field of Education for over 20 years, currently as Aboriginal Education Consultant with the AISWA Future Footprints program. Andrew is an active member of the local community; serving on multiple boards. He is a Yidaki player and a leader of cultural change.
