In a first for Australian cricket’s states and territories, Cricket New South Wales has today launched its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

The RAP was developed with the aim of making cricket a more welcoming place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, while aligning with the CNSW organisational purpose, ‘to inspire everyone to play and love cricket’.

In September 2020, CNSW CEO Lee Germon reached out to a dozen staff and players from a range of departments and management levels to form a steering committee with a view to playing a pivotal role in constructing the RAP.

Less than 12 months later the commitment toward reconciliation from CNSW contains 87 deliverable actions across the four key areas of relationships, respect, opportunities and governance.

The deliverables will strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island (ATSI) Peoples, engage staff and stakeholders in reconciliation and develop and pilot innovative strategies that empower ATSI Peoples.

The RAP is an ‘INNOVATE’ RAP, the second tier of four in Reconciliation Australia’s levels of delivery. The levels of a RAP vary based on an organisation’s sphere of influence.

CNSW has a substantial sphere of influence through its network of players, clubs and stakeholders across the state. CNSW plans to introduce and embed this two-year RAP before aiming for a higher level when developing their next RAP.

Germon said the RAP launch was a significant chapter in the history of CNSW.

“This is a very important and ground-breaking day for Cricket in NSW and our organisation, in the way we recognise and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples,” Germon said.

“The importance of creating actions and deliverables that ensure Cricket NSW is not only contributing, but accountable, to reconciliation, cannot be understated.

“We are proud of the work we have done in this area, and the work we will continue to do, as we strive to inspire everyone in NSW to play and love cricket.”

Co-chair of the CNSW RAP Steering Committee and current Melbourne Renegades paceman Joshua Lalor was extremely excited by the launch of the RAP.

“As an Aboriginal man and someone who has been involved with CNSW for nearly 15 years, I am thrilled to see us lead Australian cricket in this space,” Lalor said.

“The foundation has been set by Cricket Australia and their actions over the past few years. The states and territories can now take on that momentum and positively impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in a significant way.”

Read more here: https://www.cricketnsw.com.au/news/cricket-nsw-launches-first-reconciliation-action-plan/2021-07-09