Local clubs support Indigenous Round

AFL Sapphire Coast’s Bermagui Breakers and Eden Whalers’ annual Indigenous Round match is highlight on the calendar. Nicholas Hoskins, Trevor Thomas, Byron Lonsdale Patten, Matthew Parsons, Clyde Parsons, Bruce Thomas. Photo: Maddy O’Connor

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AFL NSW/ACT commends all the leagues, clubs, teams, players and supporters who recognise First Nations culture and players, and their impact on Australian rules football by hosting an Indigenous Round during the 2024 season.

Right across NSW and the ACT, local football clubs are once again going above and beyond, throwing58 their support behind Indigenous culture and people involved in the game. Whether clubs have deep Indigenous connections or are inspired by First Nations people on and off the field and want to show their support, the AFL NSW/ACT community embraces Indigenous Round in myriad ways from first grade seniors to NAB AFL Auskick.

The elite AFL ranks have formally celebrated Indigenous Round, known as Sir Doug Nicholls Round, since 2005 and local footy clubs have embraced the concept. This year, NSW and ACT clubs have designed special jumpers, invited Elders to matches to deliver Welcome to Countries, held smoking ceremonies and arranged activities to better connect their communities to Indigenous history and cultures.

Head of AFL NSW/ACT, Tiffany Robertson, is proud of how clubs across the region embrace Indigenous Round. “Indigenous Round is one of the great moments in our local footy season,” she said.

“It highlights our football community’s willingness to learn about, listen to and engage in First Nations culture at the grassroots.

“I’m incredibly proud of our volunteers at so many clubs across the state and territory who take the time to meticulously plan and carry out Indigenous Round celebrations. Thank you to everyone participating this weekend and throughout Indigenous Round.”

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Unlike the AFL, where Sir Doug Nicholls Round is held over two weeks, Indigenous Round can be celebrated by local clubs across NSW and the ACT whenever clubs feel appropriate.

It’s not too late for clubs in NSW and the ACT to host an Indigenous Round. There are ideas and tips on how to get started in AFL NSW/ACT’s Indigenous Round Guide and in the  AFL’s Themed Round Guide for 2024.

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Below is a small selection of clubs from across NSW and the ACT celebrating Indigenous Round:

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League	Club	Acknowledgement	Date	Location
AFL North Coast	Sawtell-Toormina / Grafton	Indigenous dance, dreamtime story and Welcome to Country. Traditional fixture for the round, both teams wearing Indigenous guernseys and colours are red, yellow, black (and white).	18/05	Richardson Park, Sawtell
AFL North West	Gunnedah Bulldogs / Tamworth Kangaroos	Indigenous dance, dreamtime story and acknowledgement of country. Both teams to wear Indigenous guernseys	25 May	Wolseley Oval, Gunnedah
AFL HCC	Newcastle City Juniors	Smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country, ochre body painting for Indigenous players, art and storytelling	2 June	No 1 Sportsground/ Connolly Oval
AFL Sydney	Western Magic	Indigenous Round jumpers, Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony	11/05	Blacktown International Sportspark
AFL Sydney Juniors	St Ives	Indigenous Round jumpers, smoking ceremony	19/05	Acron Oval, St Ives
AFL Central West	Bathurst Giants	Indigenous Round jumpers, smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country, clap sticks presented to best on ground	15/05	George Park, Bathurst
AFL Canberra	Tuggeranong Valley	Indigenous Round jumpers, Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony	11/05	Greenway Oval, Tuggeranong
AFL South Coast	Northern Districts	Indigenous Round jumpers, Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony	1/06	Hollymount Oval, Woonona
AFL Sapphire Coast	Bermagui Breakers	Indigenous Round jumpers, Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony	24/05	Dickinson Oval, Bermagui
AFL Riverina	Wagga Swans	Indigenous Round jumpers, Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony	2/06	Anderson Oval, Wagga Wagga
AFL Broken Hill	Whole competition	Indigenous Round jumpers, Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony	NAIDOC Week	Jubilee Oval

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