Surf Coast Suns launch season in Indigenous jumper

The Modewarre and Surf Coast players and staff pose for a photo with local dignitaries after the smoking ceremony.

Sunday April 28 was a historic day for the Surf Coast Suns.

Round 1 saw their first Under 13 team take the field in the Indigenous jumper designed by local Indigenous artist Nathan Patterson.

A Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony was conducted by Corrina Eccles of the Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation.

The ceremony was also attended by Christine Couzens (Member for Geelong), Darren Cheesman (Member of South Barwon), Rose Hodge (Surf Coast Mayor), Magdalena Wheatland (Torquay Community Enterprise) and Jacqueline Chapman (Modewarre FC Junior Coordinator).

Nathan Patterson was also in attendance to walk both clubs through the meaning of the design and how it relates to the Surf Coast.

Surf Coast Suns president Mike Thomas thanked former president Mark Burgess who MC’d the morning and club sponsor Dean Charman (Otway Gardening) for starting the initiative and engaging Nathan for doing the design, bringing both clubs and the community together.

Both teams played for the inaugural Nathan Patterson Cup, which will be awarded to the winner of the U13 game between the Surf Coast Suns and Modawarre in years to come.

This year Modewarre took home the cup winning 10.5.65 to 2.2.14.