Indigenous Culture centre stage at footy across NSW and ACT

Dozens of football clubs in NSW and the ACT are throwing their support behind the AFL’s annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round, which kicks off this weekend.

The round celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and players, and their contribution to Australian football.

This year, the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round coincides with the 30th anniversary of the historic 1992 Mabo decision, where the High Court of Australia recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ traditional ownership of land and country, and that ‘terra nullius’ should not have been applied to Australia.

A significant moment in recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights, the AFL acknowledges the legacy of Torres Strait Islander leader Eddie ‘Koiki’ Mabo and the 1992 Mabo decision as part of the celebrations of the round.

At the grassroots, many clubs across the state and territory have commissioned artists – sometimes players at the club – to design special guernseys with Indigenous artwork to commemorate the round.

One of these clubs is the Inner West Magpies, from AFL Sydney, whose senior women and youth girls teams will wear a jumper designed by Zoe Cassim, proud Bundjalung woman and former player at Inner West Magpies.

“It’s important to share First Nations cultures and how it has shaped Australian rules from time immemorial,” Ms Cassim said. “The game has evolved from Marn Grook, which was played to hone hunting skills and teamwork. It’s critical that everyone who loves AFL understands that history, and this round plays a major role in that education.

“Inner West Magpies is such a great club and celebrated the Indigenous histories and culture around Sir Doug Nicholls round before I started playing there, so when I offered to design a guernsey, the team jumped at the opportunity.

“Community clubs set a great example for entire communities and Indigenous Round celebrations enable First Nations footballers young and old to feel seen and valued and for the wider football community to understand more about the game and our country’s shared history.”

Photo:  Nat Sports Media

Sir Doug Nicholls Round will be celebrated at the elite game across rounds 10 and 11 of the AFL, but community clubs in NSW and the ACT are welcome to acknowledge Indigenous culture and heritage whenever they feel they can manage a meaningful impact.

The ‘Community Football Indigenous Guide’ has been developed to help clubs understand and participate in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Community Football Manager, AFL NSW/ACT, John Boulous thanked all clubs for getting involved in Sir Doug Nicholls Round in 2022. “Thank you to all clubs in NSW and the ACT who acknowledged the Indigenous athletes who play footy and their impact of the game,” he said. “The annual celebration of Indigenous Round is a highlight on the calendar and gives clubs the chance to lead, learn and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait people and culture.”

 

The below are some of the clubs across the state and territory celebrating Sir Doug Nicholls Round in 2022.

 

AFL North Coast

Club:	Port Macquarie Magpies (senior men)
Date:	21 May 2022
Location:	Wayne Richards Park, Port Macquarie
Activities:	The club will wear its first ever Indigenous guernsey. A ceremony before the match will take place which will include an acknowledgement of Country.
What the club said:	“I’m really proud that our club is showing its support of the Indigenous community. Our jumpers look amazing, artist Melissa Streater has done a brilliant job of telling our club’s story in the design. I know that our men and women can’t wait to run out in these jumpers on this important day.” – Brayden Saggers, Senior Co-Coach

 

AFL Hunter Central Coast

Club:	Cardiff Hawks
Date:	28 May 2022
Location:	Pasterfield Sports Complex
Activities:	The club will wear a guernsey featuring an Indigenous design. There will be a smoking ceremony and acknowledgement of Country before the match.

 

Club:	Wallsend West Newcastle
Date:	July/August Date TBC
Location:	TBA
Activities:	The club will wear a guernsey featuring an Indigenous design. There will be a smoking ceremony and acknowledgement of Country before the match.

 

AFL Sydney

Club:	Macquarie University
Date:	21 May 2022
Location:	University Oval
Activities:	The club will wear a guernsey featuring an Indigenous design. There will be an acknowledgement of Country before the match.
What the club said:	“Macquarie University AFC will be supporting Sir Doug Nicholls Round for the second year running. As we did last year, both our first grade men’s and women’s teams will be wearing an Indigenous jumper which was designed by proud Biripi woman Amy Saunders (Instagram amysaunders_designs). The Women’s Premier Division will be streamed live on Kayo Sports. One of our Indigenous players will also be performing a Welcome to Country prior to the men’s first grade game.” – Kristian Purdie, President

 

Club:	South West Sydney Blues
Date:	Occurred 14 May
Location:	Rosedale Oval
Activities:	The club wore a guernsey featuring an Indigenous design. There was an acknowledgement of Country and musical celebration before the match.
What the club said:	“My father is an Adnyamathanha, Kuyani, Luratji, Dieri and Arabana man from South Australia and my mother is a Yamatji woman from mid west region of Western Australia. It was an honour to be asked to contribute to the Guernsey design.” – Kerwin Stuart, Club Captain

 

AFL Sydney Juniors

Club:	Pennant Hills Demons
Date:	22 May 2022
Location:	Erin Holmes Oval
Activities:	The club will wear a guernsey featuring an Indigenous design. Welcome to Country delivered by Uncle Neil Evers, including smoking ceremony and clap stick activities with players and families. The centre circle painted as Aboriginal flag.
What the club said:	“The AFL community has long been inspired by so many great Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players. Our players are always looking to snap a goal from the pocket like Eddie Betts or take a towering mark like Lance Franklin. This makes Sir Doug Nicholls Round an excellent platform to build greater awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and its contribution to Australian rules football”. – Michael Barbara, Vice President Pennant Hills Junior AFL Club

AFL Central West

Club:	Bathurst Giants
Date:	21 May 2022
Location:	George Park
Activities:	The senior women’s team will wear a guernsey featuring an Indigenous design. There will be an acknowledgement of Country. There will be a performance from Ngumbaay Miyagan dance group. Guernseys will be auctioned after the match, with money raised going to the Bathurst Giants Indigenous Development Fund. The junior teams will have a similar program on 29 May.
What the club said:	“This is a significant round for many players in our club and we are proud to support them and celebrate indigenous culture through sport.” – Kathy Sloan, President.

 

AFL Canberra

Club:	ANU Griffins
Date:	28 May 2022
Location:	ANU South Oval
Activities:	The club will wear a guernsey featuring an Indigenous design. There will be a smoking ceremony and acknowledgement of Country before the match. ANU Chancellor’s representative to speak.
What the club said:	“Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples still experience many injustices today. Indigenous round is an opportunity to create visibility for these issues and allows people to reflect on the long way that is still ahead of us and the systemic change that we need to continue to advocate for.” – Ine Bereens, President

 

Club:	Tuggeranong Valley
Date:	28 May 2022
Location:	Greenway Oval
Activities:	The club will wear a guernsey featuring an Indigenous design. There will be a smoking ceremony and acknowledgement of Country before the match.
What the club said:	“We are extraordinarily proud to be able to continue celebrating the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and community contributions to our game, especially this year on the 30th anniversary of the landmark Mabo decision. This tradition began with Tuggeranong Hawks, before amalgamating with fellow Tuggeranong clubs to create Tuggeranong Valley AFC. Each year we have wanted to have our senior players wearing a guernsey designed by members of our Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander family and this year’s will continue that tradition with something very special again” – Leo Lahey, President

 

AFL Broken Hill

Club:	All clubs
Date:	Early July
Location:	Jubilee Oval, Memorial Oval
Activities:	An acknowledgement of Country will occur before all games. Indigenous players will toss the coin. Indigenous barbecue.

AFL South Coast

Club:	Northern District Tigers Juniors
Date:	5 June 2022
Location:	Hollymount Park
Activities:	There will be a smoking ceremony and acknowledgement of Country before the match.

 

Club:	Figtree Kangaroos
Date:	August
Location:	TBA
Activities:	The club will wear a guernsey featuring an Indigenous design. There will be a smoking ceremony and acknowledgement of Country before the match.

 

Club:	Bomaderry Tigers Seniors
Date:	23 July 2022
Location:	Nowra Showgrounds
Activities:	The club will wear a guernsey featuring an Indigenous design. There will be a smoking ceremony and acknowledgement of Country before the match.

 

AFL Sapphire Coast

Club:	All teams, juniors and seniors
Date:	21 May
Location:	All venues
Activities:	All teams and coaches will acknowledge Country and wear black arm bands.
What the club said:	“As Sapphire Coast AFL Competition and Development Coordinator, I am stoked to say that all eight of our clubs are on board with Sir Doug Nicholls Round in paying respect and tribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and how it has influenced and contributed to AFL. “All coaches will give an Acknowledgement of Country to their team before they take the field, and all teams will wear black, or black, red and yellow arm bands. “All Sapphire Coast Clubs are on Yuin Country, and we pay our respects to the traditional custodians of this land past, present and emerging as we play and train on Yuin Country. Everyone has different connections and ties to the land, but it is unanimous that our land is special and sacred, and many people talk of being called ‘home’.” – Maddy O’Connor, AFL Sapphire Coast Competition and Development Coordinator

 

Club:	Bermagui Breakers
Date:	June/July TBC
Location:	TBA
Activities:	Bermagui has an Indigenous guernsey on order and will celebrate First Nations cultures at a home game when it arrives.