Ahead of National Reconciliation Week, the AFL Players’ Association has launched its Indigenous Map for 2022.

The map displays the language groups of 81 male and 20 AFLW players (101 in total), celebrating the cultural diversity of both competitions. There are 73 language/cultural groups represented across the map.

The map aims to inform and educate the football community and wider public on the various language and cultural groups of Indigenous AFL and AFLW players, with the first map launched by the AFL Players’ Association back in 2014.

Hawthorn’s Chad Wingard, 200-gamer and proud Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna man, is honoured to share his journey and hopes the map will serve as a resource for the wider community to acknowledge those who have come before him.

“Sharing the Indigenous Map and the different language groups and tribes we’re all from is an honour and a proud moment,” Wingard said.

“We want to represent our people and continue to educate Australia on the rich history this land has over 50,000 years and pay respects to the Indigenous people who have paved the way for us to be here today on this great country.”

Fremantle star and proud Menang and Noongar and Ngarrindjeri man, Michael Walters, has found a greater sense of connection through the map’s launch.

“It makes me proud to be represented along with so many others (men and women) on the map to show where our ties to culture and family are from,” Walters said.

“To see other players you didn’t know were from the same country as you, creates a talking point and brings you closer to those individuals.”

National Reconciliation Week runs from May 27 until June 3, providing a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and explore how to contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.