Werribee unveils first indigenous guernsey

30 June 2022

The Werribee Football Club is proud to launch its first ever Indigenous guernsey ahead of NAIDOC Week which commences Sunday.

The jumper was designed by Noongar woman and Indigenous artist Kirby Bentley and will be worn by Werribee players in Saturday’s round 15 match against North Melbourne at Avalon Airport Oval.

The name Werribee is an Aboriginal word meaning backbone or spine and is the prominent feature on both the front and back of the guernsey being depicted through boomerangs.

Land (leaves), water (blue lines), meeting places (circles in circles), people and elders (arches in double arches) are also included in the jumper's design.

It explains that - "Through land and water, we stay connected. Brining our words together and paying respects to our elders past, present and emerging."

As part of educating players, staff and officials a presentation and smoking ceremony will be performed by local Bunurong members prior to training on Thursday night.

Bunurong representatives will also complete a Welcome to Country before the opening bounce on Saturday.

Werribee Footballl Club CEO Mark Penaluna said it is great to be recognising First Nations people and their culture.

"We're very proud to be celebrating Indigenous culture and look forward to seeing our players wear the club’s first ever Indigenous guernsey against North Melbourne this weekend,” he said.

“We are grateful to have had Kirby design the jumper and look forward to welcoming members of the Bunurong group on Thursday evening and again on Saturday."

NAIDOC Week runs from July 3 to July 10. The current theme of the celebration is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! You can find out more about NAIDOC Week HERE.


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