Three years ago, the Sydney Swans became the first team in the AFL to launch a Diversity Action Plan. 

The DAP, as it has become known, was the club’s roadmap to make meaningful change across four key pillars: Disability Empowerment, Multicultural Inclusion, the Advancement of Women and Pride.

Along the journey, the club has enjoyed successes, confronted challenges, and learned a great deal.

That inaugural DAP expires this week, and so begins the process of DAP renewal.

The next iteration of our Diversity Action Plan will be developed and implemented in partnership with key community organisations, with expertise across each of our four pillars.

Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley said the club is determined to build upon the learnings and achievements of the past three years, in consultation with the community.

“We’re really proud of the work that we’ve done over the journey, including seeing the Pride Game become an annual fixture, having several staff able to make use of our new paid parental leave scheme, and using our position to educate through advocacy – but there is still so much that we want to do,” Harley said.

“Our initial DAP Committee comprised a mix of staff and club connections with expertise and experience across our four pillars. We’re now looking to expand on that, by inviting community groups to submit expressions of interest in becoming official DAP partners.

“While we are determined to be leaders in making positive change, we’re certainly not experts in all areas. Therefore, we are looking to community organisations for guidance. Together we will deliver more meaningful outcomes aligned with our club values in the years ahead.”

The Sydney Swans will provide a DAP Community Partner framework in early September and invite organisations to submit expressions of interest in becoming an official DAP partner.

Once the application period concludes, we will review the applications and select one partner to align with each of our four DAP pillars.