TWO of Ballarat\u2019s competing junior football clubs united in celebration of a special round last weekend.<\/p>\n
The under-17 players from the East Point Junior Football Netball Club and the Sebastopol Football Netball Club played an inaugural Indigenous Match at the Eastern Oval on Sunday, 5 June.<\/p>\n
A traditional Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony launched the game, and both Sebastopol and East Point\u2019s players wore new club footy jumpers with Indigenous designs reflecting culture and storytelling.<\/p>\n
East Point\u2019s under-17 football coach Matt Stevens was one of the drivers of the match, and said throughout their history, both sides have created pathways to champion young First Nations players in sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are extremely proud to be able to honour our past and current Indigenous players, and we will continue to celebrate their contribution to our club and embrace the Indigenous culture in our great game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur players are privileged to be able to wear a jumper designed by past player Delroy Tranter which has a specific traditional meaning for our club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Players\u2019 families, friends, and footy fans were encouraged to attend to support the junior clubs in their goal to honour their group\u2019s, and the broader community\u2019s, diversity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TWO of Ballarat\u2019s competing junior football clubs united in celebration of a special round last weekend. The under-17 players from the East Point Junior Football Netball Club and the Sebastopol Football Netball Club played an inaugural Indigenous Match at the Eastern Oval on Sunday, 5 June. A traditional Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony launched […]<\/p>\n