Melbourne Park is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Eddie Betts Foundation (the Foundation), which will see the Foundation establish its home ground at John Cain Arena.

Melbourne Park and the Eddie Betts Foundation are excited to partner on this opportunity to bring a First Nations focus to Melbourne’s live events epicentre through the work of the Foundation.

Established in 2023 by former AFL legend Eddie Betts, the Foundation is an Aboriginal-led not-for-profit organisation focused on improving learning and employment outcomes for young people from Aboriginal communities.  

Grounded in cultural respect and a strength-based approach, the Foundation works to remove barriers to success while nurturing leadership and education, with sports as the catalyst for cultural connection. 

Through this partnership, the Foundation will support Melbourne Park with cultural awareness training for its workforce, and the delivery of NAIDOC and National Reconciliation Week activities. 

Melbourne Park sees this partnership as an important milestone in its commitment to progressing objectives of its newly endorsed Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and nurturing relationships with First Nations businesses and stakeholders.  

In celebration of NAIDOC Week, Melbourne Park’s permanent workforce was joined by Eddie, his partner and Foundation co-founder, Anna, along with three members of the Foundation’s Football Program for a special Q&A session.  

This year’s National NAIDOC Week marked 50 years of the week-long celebrations, and fittingly, the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead. 

Melbourne Park would like to thank the Foundation for the opportunity to hear from Eddie and his team to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, and celebrate the oldest, continuous living culture on earth.  

The Foundation is located at John Cain Arena at Melbourne Park, on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos  

“Eddie Betts is one of Australia’s most iconic and influential Indigenous sportspeople and it’s truly an honour to support his vital work through the Eddie Betts Foundation here at Melbourne Park.”  

“Melbourne Park is Australia’s best sports and entertainment precinct and has a commitment to advancing reconciliation with First Nations People. Having Eddie and his team on site will be instrumental in this effort.” 

Quote attributable to Eddie Betts Foundation founder Eddie Betts 

“Victoria holds deep personal meaning for me. I moved here 23 years ago to chase my AFL dream, leaving behind my families and communities in Western Australia and South Australia. It was a big step, full of challenges and change. But it was here in Victoria, all those years ago, that I eventually got the opportunity to play AFL. 

Through the Foundation, we are working to recreate that journey of mine. For kids just like me, we provide pathways in sport and education that nurture talent and leadership in a way that respects the inherent leadership young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people already possess. 

Our Foundation, and the young people in it, are always in pursuit of excellence. 

I am proud that we are building those opportunities here in Victoria, because this place has given so much to me, and now it is time to give back.” 

Quote attributable to Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust Chair Patrick Flannigan 

“The partnership between Melbourne Park and the Eddie Betts Foundation is a significant and important step forward in our commitment to progressing the objectives and actions outlined in our Reconciliation Action Plan. 

Culturally and strategically, this partnership is a crucial for Melbourne Park in advancing reconciliation by listening, learning and developing relationships with First Nations people and organisations to help us take meaningful action.” 

Image: Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos (left), Eddie Betts Foundation founder Eddie Betts (centre), and Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust Chair Patrick Flannigan (right).