Narrandera Eagles and Coleambally Blues to wear indigenous guernseys to celebrate First Nations culture

Narrandera Eagles and Coleambally Blues are among 16 NSW regional clubs to wear guernseys on May 29 with indigenous designs as a celebration of First Nations culture.

The Sir Doug Nicholls Round is being celebrated at community football grounds across NSW and the ACT on a scale never seen before.

More than 30 clubs and their opponents will formally recognise the culture and contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people have on our great game across two rounds from 29 May to 6 June. This mirrors the elite AFL competition, which celebrates Sir Doug Nicholls Round across rounds 11 and 12.

Many clubs in NSW and the ACT will wear special commemorative guernseys designed by Indigenous players or community members to mark the round. Smoking ceremonies and acknowledgments of country will also be held across local matches in junior and senior ranks along with cultural dance lessons, face painting and education seminars.

Head of AFL NSW/ACT, Tiffany Robertson, said Sir Doug Nicholls Round serves as important recognition of Indigenous people’s impact on our game. “I am so proud this annual celebration of Indigenous culture in AFL is widely acknowledged across community clubs in NSW and the ACT,” Ms Robertson said. “NSW is home to the largest Indigenous population in Australia, and this round helps us all reflect on the rich culture and contribution Indigenous players bring to our game.

“The round also serves as a reminder to the tens of thousands of footballers in this region who play on lands of deep cultural significance and history. Indigenous Australians own the world’s oldest living culture and we must always respect the custodians of the grounds we play on week in week out.”

AFL NSW/ACT Indigenous Ambassadors, Jeremy Finlayson and James Bell are both looking forward to the round and are pleased that it extends to community footy’s grassroots.

“My Aboriginal heritage is from the south coast of NSW all the way up to Kempsey and the Bellbrook area. It’s great to see so many community clubs getting around Sir Doug Nicholls Round and celebrating the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island players have on the game.” Bell said.

“When I think of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, I genuinely get goose-bumps. This year is even more exciting as I found out from my Dad’s cousin that I am related to Sir Doug, so the round has a greater significance.” Finlayson said.