Former Richmond premiership player Shane Edwards has been named the inaugural recipient of the AFL Industry First Nations Leadership Scholarship.
Edwards, who now works with Adelaide as the club's Indigenous Player Development Manager and Recruiting Officer, received the award during the AFL's First Nations Gathering on August 17.
The scholarship has been introduced as part of the AFL's First Nations Employment and Engagement Strategy and is aimed at supporting First Nations people working across the football industry to further develop their careers and leadership skills.
Edwards joined the Crows in 2022 following a decorated 16-season playing career with Richmond.
He played 303 AFL games for the Tigers after being drafted in 2006, becoming a three-time premiership player and earning All-Australian selection in 2018.
Since retiring, Edwards - one of nine Indigenous players to play 300+ V/AFL games - has remained involved in the game through his role at Adelaide, working across player development and recruiting.
Edwards said receiving the inaugural scholarship was an opportunity to continue developing away from the playing field.
"It's a real honour to be the first recipient of the First Nations Leadership Scholarship," Edwards said in an AFL statement.
"Football has given me so much, both through my playing career at Richmond and now in the work I do at the Crows, and I feel a real responsibility to give something back.
"This scholarship is a great opportunity for me to keep learning, challenge myself and bring some of those learnings back into football and the community."
AFL Executive General Manager People Sarah Fair said the program was designed to create further opportunities for First Nations staff throughout the industry.
"This scholarship recognises the incredible talent, ambition and potential that exists within our First Nations community across the AFL industry," Fair said.
"It's about supporting talented First Nations team members to pursue their career aspirations, invest in their growth and create new pathways into leadership.
"We want our First Nations team members to have every opportunity to build rewarding careers and shape the future of our game."
AFL General Manager First Nations Engagement and Inclusion Taryn Lee said Edwards' contribution to football had continued beyond his playing days.
"Shane made an outstanding contribution to our game throughout his playing career and continues following his retirement to be a respected leader and role model off the field through his work at the Adelaide Crows," Lee said.
"This scholarship is about creating opportunities for First Nations people across our industry to pursue their aspirations, continue their professional development and grow their leadership capabilities and we are proud to recognise Shane as the inaugural recipient and look forward to seeing the impact he will continue to make across the AFL industry."
The scholarship will provide Edwards with further professional development opportunities as he continues building his career in football administration and leadership.
