AFL urges clubs to form a position on voice referendum

THE AFL is urging clubs to form a position on the upcoming Indigenous voice to Parliament referendum.

Australians will later this year be asked to vote on whether the constitution should be changed to create the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice at Parliament on matters of Indigenous affairs.

AFL general manager of inclusion and social policy Tanya Hosch this week sent a memo to all 18 clubs advising them to take a stance.

The letter comes after club information sessions in March and a club CEO meeting in Adelaide during the Gather Round.

“We invite and encourage you to advise us if your club will be taking a position to support the referendum YES campaign,” Hosch wrote.

“The AFL is considering its position in the coming weeks and your advice on this will be greatly received.

“This information is supplied to provide guidance regarding language for support building awareness for the referendum during Sir Doug Nicholls Round.”

Clubs have been given a deadline of 8 May to form a position, with Sir Doug Nicholls rounds locked in for rounds 10 and 11.

The league has also sent clubs a YouTube clip and facts about the referendum, mindful of having a social responsibility as the most powerful sporting league in the country.

But the communication has caused some angst at club level.

Some club chiefs have held concerns over being directed to support something while those involved in developing the policy are still debating it.

Collingwood in March threw their support behind the yes campaign, which will go to a vote between October and December this year.

– BY SAM EDMUND/ SEN