The Fortescue NAIDOC Round kicks off this Saturday, with a big weekend of celebration across the clubs.
A day of celebration, teams will commemorate the upcoming NAIDOC Week with events taking place across clubland.
Southern Lions is set to host their 2024 NAIDOC Community Fundraising Event, in partnership with Programmed. Raising funds for Voice of Hope, the club aims to promote community engagement and the reintegration of Indigenous women into the community, whilst championing the spirit of inclusivity and pride.
“Southern Lions is starting a journey to recognize the traditional owners of the land we play on,” Club President, Ronan O’Shea, shared.
“We are wanting to better include our Indigenous members, supporters, families and friends in our club. We are delighted to have opportunities like this to do this.”
“Rugby in WA is full of people from all the nations of the world. The Indigenous Whadjuk Nyoongar people must be included.”
Inspired by their collaborations with club member, Lestern Morrison in 2023, the club decided to get involved in NAIDOC Round and host an event.
“Southern Lions attended the 2023 Amateur Rugby World Cup in France representing Australia. As part of the tour planning, we felt that a great way to represent Australia was by wearing an Indigenous Jersey design. We asked club member and proud Noongar Man Lester Morrison if he’d like to design a jersey for the tour.”
“The jersey design was a great success, a great credit to Lester and the Whadjuk Nyoongar people, and allowed us to tell the other nations about some of the heritage of this great country.”
“Post the tour, club member Lyndelle Campbell approached the club with the great idea to host a NAIDCO Round event in 2024 and to raise funds for a worthy cause, the Voice of Hope organisation. We jumped at the chance.”
Collaborating with Programmed, the event offers the opportunity to highlight the diversity of Sothern Lions’ community.
“Community engagement is something both Southern Lions Rugby Union Club and Programmed are very passionate about, and felt this was a great opportunity to engage with community whilst also raising awareness for an important Indigenous organisation,” Lyndelle Campbell, who is the National Administration Manager for Programmed, shared.
Established in early 2022, Voice of Hope is a not-for-profit which aims to assist incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Aboriginal Women by providing cultural programs which help with reintegration into community, family and the workforce.
“I think being able to shine a light on this important woman’s Indigenous organisation has given us all a sense a pride,” Campbell said.
Southern Lions will also be wearing a special NAIDOC playing jersey, with a design derived from the Voice of Hope logo. One of these playing jerseys will be auctioned off after the Fortescue Premier Grade match, with all funds going directly to Voice of Hope.
“I know on the day the players will be even more passionate and motivated knowing that they are playing for and representing not only themselves and the club, but Voice of Hope,” Campbell said.
“We’re looking forward to a great day playing rugby, together with raising awareness and funds to support the Whadjuk Nyoongar people through the Voice of Hope organisation. There will be some yarns between our club members and distinguished guests on the day. It will be entertaining and enlightening.”
“We are starting a new story for Southern Lions that includes all nations and heritages both local and international. This is just the beginning.”
Kicking off at 3:00PM, the event will feature the Round 11 match between Southern Lions and Joondalup Brothers at Success Regional Sports Facility. For more information regarding the event, please visit the link.
Wanneroo is set to host a cultural potluck dinner in addition to their rugby festivities for this year’s Fortescue NAIDOC Round, to, “... celebrate the harmonious diversity of our community," Wanneroo Senior President, Josh Yoder shared.
With an incredibly diverse community, rugby provides a bridge, a shared point of collaboration between cultures, as a true sport for all. This is something in which Wanneroo wishes to harness this NAIDOC Round.
"It really is a beautiful thing, unique to rugby, that so many colourful characters from around the world can come together and develop such tight-knit bonds through this beautiful game,” Yoder said.
"There is no better way to celebrate this than to break bread together and share a taste of our native lands with one-another."
In annual tradition, Wanneroo will be facing off against Kalamunda this NAIDOC Round.
“This round is even more special because we are playing our brothers and sisters from Kalamunda, a club with which we hold such a deep and respectful connection,” Yoder shared.
With all their senior men's and women's sides coming together at Kingsway Sports Complex, it's set to be a stellar day of rugby.
“We have nothing but love for Kala and always look forward to our battles with them.”
A particular highlight is the Norm Berryman Shield, which the Third-Grade sides will be competiting for. The Shield has become a highly meaningful game for the clubs over the past few years, to acknowledge and honour the late legend who was involved in both clubs, as a third-grade player at Kalamunda and a junior's coach at Wanneroo.
Both teams are set to wear Aboriginal playing jerseys for the match, to acknowledge and celebrate the round.
The Wanneroo v. Kalamunda Fortescue Men's Premier Grade match is set to stream live on Stan from 3:30PM.
Perth Bayswater will be hosting a day of fun and rugby in celebration of NAIDOC Week on July 13, with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country kicking off at 3:20PM, before their Fortescue Premier Grade match against Wests Scarborough.
RugbyWA would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we operate. RugbyWA is located on Noongar land, and has affiliated clubs across Whadjuk, Pinjarup, Wardandi, Bibbulman, Minang, Kaniyang, Wugjari, Amangu and Wangkathaa lands. RugbyWA pays our respects to Elders Past, Present and Future, and stand with all Indigenous Australians on the journey towards reconciliation.
To access resources for First Nations Australians, or for clubs wishing to support First Nations Australians, please visit RugbyWA's First Nations Resources page.
