Lions unveil “deadly” First Nations uniforms for 2023

A NEW uniform highlighting a club’s “Warrior Spirit” has been unveiled at Winter Reserve ahead of National Reconciliation Week, which will also be worn throughout the Geelong & District Football Netball season.

The Belmont Lions Sports Club has revealed its new First Nation uniform which it will wear as soon as next weekend away game at Inverleigh.

The uniform will also be worn in Round 9 against Corio and Round 11 against Anakie as a part of NAIDOC Week.

Designed by Wathaurong Co-operative representative and Wemba Wemba man David Flagg, the Lions’ new uniform aims to depict a “Warrior Spirit” and features three main parts – the boomerangs, the gathering place and the people.

“The connection for me is this club will be led out by Traditional Owners and other Aboriginal community members from the Wadawurrung land they play,” Mr Flagg said.

The seven boomerangs represent hunting or fighting when needed, showing strength and hardness, but are also used throughout ceremony.

Mr Flagg said the circle with the six lines represents the gathering place, Winter Reserve; the Belmont Lions’ home ground.

“The lines within the cycle represents the other members of the club that make up the connections and story of the Belmont Lions,” Mr Flagg added.

“The outside of the inner circle represents the other clubs the Lions have to travel to.

“The people symbols, the two within the top cycle, are to represent the Torres Strait and Aboriginal community warriors, and the bottom peoples’ symbol represents the playing group and supporters.

“The Lion in the middle represents the club as the connection for everyone.”

Wathaurong Gunditjmara Arrernte woman and netballer Tegan Edwards said this year’s uniform was her favourite design to date.

“The storyline is there in the uniform, it is really nice

“I’ve been a part of Belmont since I was three years old, I’ve learnt to walk in these clubrooms.

“To be a part of a club like this that embraces our culture and our people like it does, it’s really special.

“Wearing uniforms like this, whether it be for Reconciliation Week or NAIDOC, it’s the best feeling. It makes me feel strong, I feel staunch, I feel proud – those are the days that mean the most to me playing netball.”

Wotjobaluk Kurnai man and Lions football player Mikali Harrison’s first impression of the uniform was simple – “less is more”, he said.

“It’s just looks so deadly, I know a lot of other designs have quite a lot going on and it can be quite overwhelming, but this is by far my favourite uniform we’ve done to date.

“It gives you that sense of pride to see our culture being acknowledged in this way. I always say it’s not just black fellas that miss out on this culture, everyone misses out on this culture.

“Seeing it embraced on this level and at the AFL level, it’s a really strong and beautiful thing. It feels like there’s electricity in the air.”

Belmont will also wear the uniforms in any clash matches for the rest of the season.