The NSWRL will celebrate Indigenous Round with several initiatives, including commissioning an Acknowledgement of Country video with media personality Stan Grant that can be used by all clubs around the state.
Indigenous Round, which starts on Thursday 18 May and finishes at the end of Round 12 on Sunday 21 May, precedes National Reconciliation Week which commemorates two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey; the successful 1967 referendum and the Mabo High Court decision.
The Acknowledgement of Country video was filmed at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence and includes footage from around NSW. The video will be played before the live streamed NSW Cup game on NSWRL TV, and there will also be live reads from NSWRL TV commentators during the round.
In it, Grant addresses the strong connection between Rugby League and the Indigenous community.
“I want to recognise the traditional owners of this land that we are gathered on today to watch this game, to share in this game that means so much to us as a people, and a game that we have brought so much to,” Grant says.
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said the NSWRL was proud to support Indigenous Round and encouraged all other Rugby League stakeholders to get behind it.
“NSW Rugby League has always had a strong connection with the Indigenous community, and they have always made an enormous contribution to our game from the grassroots right through to the elite level,” Trodden said.
“The NSWRL invests in several partnerships and initiatives to cement that bond including the KARI Foundation, the Deadly Choices campaign, the Clontarf Partnership, the KARI Foundation Talented Aboriginal Athlete Program (TAAP), and Indigenous tournaments and gala days.
“Indigenous Round is a great initiative which provides all Rugby League stakeholders with an opportunity to pay homage and say thank you to the Indigenous community for the wonderful contribution they have made, and continue to make, to the game for all.”
Other initiatives include The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup draw page on nswrl.com.au featuring the Indigenous imagery, names of teams and locations and ground country names; and social media assets featuring the whole of game messaging, ‘Moving forward together’.
Clubs can help celebrate Indigenous Round by:
- an Acknowledgement of Country before the main game;
- a Welcome to Country involving local elders or Aboriginal Land Council before the main game;
- a Smoking Ceremony involving local elders before the main game;
- a moment of silence for the Stolen Generation before the main game;
- having traditional dancers before the main game;
- an Acknowledgement of Country in the program;
- referencing the name of the traditional country you are on in the Acknowledgement of Country;
- inviting local Land Council and Elders to the game.
The participation numbers from the Indigenous community involved in Rugby League around the state is also strong with a combined total of 26,590 for players, coaches, trainers or volunteers.
Click here to learn more about the NSWRL’s Indigenous partners and programs.
