Surfcoast Suns celebrate NAIDOC week by donning Indigenous design

THE Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club (SCSFNC) celebrated NAIDOC week on Friday as its netballers donned Indigenous dresses for round 3 of the AFL Barwon Summer Netball competition.

A Welcome to Country was performed by Corrina Eccles before the matches, and former Surf Coast Shire mayor Rose Hodge was also in attendance.

SCSFNC president Michael Thomas said it was great to play a role in National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee week, launching the club’s particularly eye-catching Indigenous design.

Thomas said the original plan was to simply support the week, but the club is now looking to educate its youngsters.

The Suns are still in the early stages of the club’s existence, fielding only junior sides. Thomas said this was a great opportunity to create a positive and inclusive culture with a group of young people.

“The initial thought around doing the design for the football and netball was we were trying to raise awareness, be part of the community, be inclusive, and this is another way we can try to do that.

“We really want to develop our junior programs to not only provide them with an active and inclusive place for them to play sport, but also try and teach them a thing or two along the way.

“It’s a good way to introduce it to them in a really friendly way.”

Given COVID-19 restrictions, there has been a need to find other venues to play the Summer Netball competition, which has been an opportunity the Suns have jumped at, giving them a chance to host parts of the fixture.

The Suns have teams in all junior age groups in the netball, from Under 11s through to Under 19s, with Under 9, 10, 11, 13 and 15 sides in football and Under 10, 12 and 15 sides in the girls’ competition.