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.”
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.”
– Photos: Nat Sports Media
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 |
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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: |
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Club: | Wallsend West Newcastle |
Date: | July/August Date TBC |
Location: | TBA |
Activities: |
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AFL Sydney
Club: | Macquarie University |
Date: | 21 May 2022 |
Location: | University Oval |
Activities: |
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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 |
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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: |
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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: |
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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: |
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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: |
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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: |
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AFL Riverina
Club: | Wagga Tigers |
Date: | 21 May 2022 |
Location: | Robertson Oval |
Activities: |
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AFL South Coast
Club: | Northern District Tigers Juniors |
Date: | 5 June 2022 |
Location: | Hollymount Park |
Activities: |
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Club: | Figtree Kangaroos |
Date: | August |
Location: | TBA |
Activities: |
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Club: | Bomaderry Tigers Seniors |
Date: | 23 July 2022 |
Location: | Nowra Showgrounds |
Activities: |
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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 |
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