The wider Rugby community has recognised NAIDOC Week as Rugby Australia hosted the inaugural First Nations Round over the weekend.
NAIDOC Week is held in the first week of July each year and is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
Whilst many competitions have adopted celebrations in the past, the unified effort is a first, led by the First Nations Rugby Committee.
It comprises of representatives from both Rugby Australia and the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, looking to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Round was held on July 9, with a number of clubs and competitions adopting significant initiatives, capped by the Wallabies wearing the First Nations jersey along with signing the anthem in Yugambeh language for the second Test against England in Brisbane.
This includes Canberra’s John I Dent Cup, who were hosting their fifth First Nations round.
Each first grade and Women’s Premier teams adopted special socks during their games with indigenous designs incorporating a yarning circle and handprint.
It was designed by local artist Budda Connors, with Yarning circles used to communicate and encourage respect, build relationships and to provide a safe place to be heard and to respond, whilst the handprint symbolises strength and unity.
A number of clubs also adopted specialist indigenous jerseys, with University of Queensland and Easts wearing theirs across Hospital Cup in 2022.
This includes UQ brothers BJ and Kye Oates, who designed from North Stradbroke Island, with the pair wearing the jersey as part of the competition’s Indigenous Round in May.
They were joined by Easts, with both the men’s and women’s sides wearing jerseys with unique Indigenous artwork as they faced off against GPS at the start of the month.
