Ballajura juniors embracing Indigenous Round Thursday, May 26, 2016 - 11:07 AM

Ballajura Junior Football Club will celebrate AFL Indigenous Round with a unique jumper designed for this weekend’s Year 7 game inspired by the players and their parents.

Parent Narelle Ryder initiated the concept and upon getting approval from the East Perth District and Ballajura Junior Football Club, designed a jumper that was presented to the parents of the other players, who all agreed to purchase a set of the jumpers.

BJFC’s Brian Garcia said this was a great example of how a small football club in the suburbs with a wide demographic mix could unite as one.

“You can see from the design and its meaning that Narelle feels the same way,” he said.

“The jumpers will be worn during the game on Saturday, May 28 starting at 10.30am at Karajini reserve in Ballajura and we’d love to see lots of support for the boys from both Ballajura and Ellenbrook, who will be playing against us on the day.”

JUMPER MEANING

Noongar: "Boola Danjoo Yira Yarkiny"

English translation: "Many together Standing Strong/Tall"

FRONT
The Aboriginal coloured football is the symbol for the contributions Indigenous people have made to the game.  The boomerang is the cultural symbol for the males' initiation to their culture when they become of certain age; as our boys are now. It’s also our symbol for being 'culture proud' and 'culture strong', both on and off the field.  As Ballajura's history refers to Emu Creek/Swamp and surrounding wetlands, a fresh water creek has been included in the design to acknowledge the Aboriginal people who once settled in the area and used Emu Creek as their hunting ground and a fresh water source.  The footprints are a symbol for the club moving forward and producing champions. It also acknowledges the past and present traditional owners. The black and white hands mean 'closing the gap' through building positive, lifelong relationships between parents and players via BJFC. The big dots represent children and families networking and communicating alongside each other in support of 'closing the gap'.

BACK
The back is also based around the historical and cultural history of the suburb of Ballajura. These elements have also been incorporated into a football context.
The Dreamtime Stars at the top are Inspiring in a sense that they encourage boys to;
1) Follow their dreams
2) Reach for the stars
3) Aim high
4) Look up to their role models, and
5) Rise above challenging situations
As previously mentioned, Ballajura's history refers to Emu Creek/Swamp and surrounding wetlands. Therefore the fresh water creek continues to flow and acknowledge the Aboriginal people who once settled in the area and used Emu Creek as their hunting ground and a fresh water source.  The footprints continue to symbolise the club moving forward and producing champions. It also acknowledges the past and present traditional owners.
The big dots represent children and families networking and communicating alongside each other in support of 'closing the gap'. All colours used in this painting represent the Aboriginal people and acknowledge the East Perth Football District and the Ballajura Football Club.