AFL Barwon’s Indigenous Round was launched at Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre this week.
Club representatives received education from Uncle Vince Ross and heard from Yalanda Neal – the designer of the Indigenous match balls.
Indigenous round will be held from May 13 to 19.
Local Indigenous artist and Belmont Lions footballer Yalanda Neal has added an extra special touch to AFL Barwon Indigenous Round with Indigenous artwork on the match balls.
Yalanda has created a design called the ‘Wadawurrung Indigenous Story’ that has been printed on the playing footballs for all senior male and female football and A Grade netballs for AFL Barwon Indigenous Round.
“The inner circle represents your sports team, the outer circle represents all those that bring the team together; coaches, team managers and supporters,” Yalanda said.
“The third blue layer represents our waters, rivers and oceans of Wadawurrung Country. The outer and green dots represents the bushlands of Wadawurrung Country and that’s to acknowledge the land on which we play sport on.
“The emu, kangaroo tracks and path represents the journey, training & commitment players take to make their team and play every weekend.”
AFL Barwon Umpires will support AFL Barwon Indigenous Round by wearing specially designed uniforms.
Designed and created by proud Noongar Wandandi Boodja first nations man Joshua James, umpires will wear the Indigenous uniform in the South Barwon vs Leopold seniors, Portarlington vs Anglesea seniors and the Apollo Bay vs Birregurra seniors matches.
