Corio Devils wear First Nations respect

THE Corio Devils have unveiled their latest Indigenous playing kit for their football and netball teams for 2023, designed by recently returned footballer Billy-Jay (BJ) O’Toole.

Responsible for the design of the club’s first indigenous strip four years ago, BJ said that as a First Nations member he “didn’t feel comfortable in the old jumper”, so he took it upon himself to make a new one and raise the funds to get it made.

“The design didn’t have any representation of what Corio was about… I raised $5,400 from local businesses that I have a good relationship with, I told them what my plan was and were they interested in getting these sets of jumpers done.

“They got back to me and said yes.

“The new jersey features a bit about the footy club and the area, I reckon players will connect to it a lot more than they have in the past.”

Mr O’Toole said the designs inclusion of a large boomerang symbolises the club and its honouring of past players, and the smaller boomerang on the left symbolises men, while the Coolamon (indigenous carrying vessel) on the right is for women.

“The footprints leading in to the meeting place is the players, volunteers, supporters, coming to put in the work to make this club a powerhouse again,” he said.

“The design behind that symbolises the bay (Corio Bay)…the bottom section of the image symbolises the wurdi youang (big hill), that in Wadawurrung refers to the You Yangs and the emu footprints represent how emus cannot walk backwards, just like this club is today we are moving forward,” Mr O’Toole said.

The jumper will be worn during matches in NAIDOC and Reconciliation weeks, and potentially during away games, and received emphatic praise when the design was released by the club.

“We as a club are so proud of BJ and all the work he has put into designing the clubs new indigenous jumpers and netball dresses and our players cannot wait to wear them,” club secretary Lynda Bennett said.

Mr O’Toole said he was pleased it had got the tick of approval from players.

“I showed a few of the senior boys and they were over the moon with it, they love the story behind the jersey and say they can’t wait to wear it next year.”

Acceptance and take-up of First Nation’s artwork means artists such as Mr O’Toole are finding their services and skills in hot demand.

“There’s about another four to five Wadawurrung artists like me who are flat out at the moment… this space is really evolving, I can’t see it slowing down any time soon.”