The Riddell DFNL’s “Indigenous Round” is a themed round to acknowledge and celebrate the Indigenous players of our game, and to highlight the proud history of the contribution of indigenous footballers in the RDFNL and the greater region. Importantly, it also celebrates the contribution of the current RDFNL players and the excitement they bring to the league.
The RDFNL has followed the lead of the AFL in introducing a Round dedicated to acknowledge the contribution of Indigenous footballers, and it is worth noting some of following key points which the AFL has provided that highlight the enormous contribution Indigenous Australians have played in the evolution of football. These include:
- Indigenous Australians represent less than 3% of the population, yet make up approx 11% of the AFL lists.
- Indigenous players have won 3 Brownlow Medals, 6 Norm Smith Medals & 3 AFL NAB Rising Star awards, with over 30 Indigenous players being members of an AFL premiership team.
- Up to 25% of current AFL lists players from diverse backgrounds (11% Indigenous).
Some of the initiatives planned for this weekend’s “Indigenous Round” includes:
- Special edition “Indigenous Round” Footy Record with commemorative colour cover
- Launch of RDFNL Indigenous Round logo
- The colours of the indigenous flag will be painted in the centre circle at all venues
- Indigenous players will (where possible) represent their teams at the coin toss
- During the welcome the Ground announcer recognises the traditional owners of the land
- AFL Goldfields will be putting together a series of articles to promote:
- The strategies and initiatives the Indigenous and Multicultural Reference Committee are implementing to engage members of the Indigenous and Multicultural communities in Football/Netball clubs.
- Interviews with key Indigenous community leaders who have some level of involvement with Football/Netball clubs in the Region.
- The various clubs across the Region who will be wearing special Indigenous Round jumpers this weekend.
- Revisiting the installation of special plaques at all AFL Goldfields venues recognising the traditional land owners where each club is located with plaques.
- All AFL Goldfields clubs will be provided with an Indigenous flag to fly at their ground this weekend.
- For the first time in 2016, all matches across all Leagues will use special Indigenous Round footballs in their Senior Football matches.
Indigenous Round Matches
Another huge weekend of RDFNL matches ahead of us this weekend as teams jostle for positions inside the top 6.
This weekend’s round of matches include
Diggers Rest v Melton Centrals – Saturday 28th May at Bloomdale Oval – 2:00pm Start
Sunbury Kangaroos v Rockbank – Saturday 28th May at Eric Boardman Reserve – 2:00pm Start
Lancefield v Broadford – Saturday 28th May at Lancefield Park – 2:00pm Start
Riddell v Woodend-Hesket – Saturday 28th May at the Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve – 2:00pm Start
Romsey v Rupertswood – Saturday 28th May at Romsey Park – 2:00pm Start
Macedon v Wallan – Saturday 28th May at Tony Clarke Reserve – 2:00pm Start
Please contact the Riddell District Football Netball League on (03) 8746 2924 should you have any further questions.
Last Modified on 25/05/2016 10:29