With nearly 20 young Indigenous players, Ocean Grove Cobras will take part in this year’s AFL Barwon Indigenous round.
The junior footy club got involved mainly through first-year vice-president Mel Gee, who is a proud Palawa woman originally from Lutruwita (Indigenous Tasmanian), living on Wadawurrung Country.
The Cobras, an amalgamation of Ocean Grove and Collendina Cobras Junior Football Clubs, will wear specially designed socks during the round of matches from July 7 to 9.
“This is the first year that Ocean Grove Cobras Junior Football Club is participating in AFL Barwon’s Indigenous round,” Mel said.
“This round is something I’m extremely excited about initiating and hope to see this weekend acknowledged in the region every year from here on. This year’s Indigenous Round ties in well with NAIDOC Week at the same time.
“Part of this round for us, is the inclusion of some special club apparel. By purchasing these specially designed socks, and wearing them for the round, our club and community get to commemorate the oldest living culture in the world.”
The Cobras are one of the biggest junior football clubs in the region and field 29 boys and girls teams from Under 9s to Under 14s.
“This round allows us, as a club, to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and their contributions to the game we all love,” Mel said.
“It is also a round for the whole football industry to celebrate and thank Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander players, volunteers, administrators and umpires past and present for their contributions and commitment to the game.”
The Cobras will donate the profits from the socks to its fundraising initiative Opening The Doors Foundation (openingthedoors.org.au).
The weekend will culminate on Sunday July 9, when the Cobras will host a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony lead by Corrina Eccles, from Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
“We will also be showcasing three out of five of our very talented Under 14 teams, with games starting from 8.30am at Collendina Reserve, our home ground,” Mel said.
“It’s a weekend, where we can all come together, learn from each other, celebrate and have fun, all while
playing the game we all love, footy.”
