St Mary’s Football and Netball Club (SMFNC) are supporting our First Nations women’s players in NAIDOC week with a celebration funded by the Change Our Game Community Activation Grant.
This is an opportunity for the players and supporters of our Club to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, and participate in celebrations for the oldest and continuous living cultures on earth with our very own Indigenous players and their families who have been integral to planning this event.
As part of the event our community will engage in traditional and cultural practices including a welcome to country and smoking ceremony, followed by a blockbuster match from our women’s team against Whittlesea showcasing the amazing AFL skills of women, while wearing their custom-designed First Nations guernseys.
Our First Nations guernseys have been designed by Alicia Arden, in collaboration with her sister Cheryle Arden and Judhil Canendo who play at St Mary’s. The three women worked together to create a unique design that reflects the Club’s local area and their own cultures.
After the game, we invite everyone to join AFL legend Nicky Winmar as he talks about his football journey as an Indigenous person.
We are incredibly excited to have Nicky Winmar on board who played for St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs and has a host of accolades including being part of St Kilda’s Team of the Century, being inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame and much, much more.
Importantly, Nicky is well-known for his stance against racism and discrimination toward First Nations people.
The event will be held on Sunday 10 July at Whatmough Park, 2 Kalparrin Avenue, Greesborough. The day starts at 2:30pm, with Nicky Winmar speaking from 5:30pm.
St Mary’s are encouraging local First Nation people and local women and girls with an interest in football to come along, and have kept the event free to ensure everyone can access this event. However, we hope to see all our players and supporters there regardless of gender.
Thanks,
Mark Stanley
Club President
SMFNC 