NAIDOC Round at the WAFLThursday, July 9, 2015 - 12:41 PM

The West Australian Football League, in partnership with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Department of Sport and Recreation, will celebrate the significance of Aboriginal players when WAFL NAIDOC Round is held this Saturday, July 11.

All WAFL clubs playing in the Round will wear uniforms specially designed to represent the heritage of the clubs and their Aboriginal players.  

This year a special NAIDOC football, pictured, will also be used for NAIDOC Round games.

WAFC General Manager of Pathways and Competitions Steve Hargrave said NAIDOC Week represented a terrific opportunity for the WAFL and WA Football in general to recognise and acknowledge the magnificent contribution of aboriginal players at all levels of participation from community through to elite level.

“Some of the WAFL’s most talented players of all time are Aboriginal and we are very fortunate to have such a long and proud association with Aboriginal people. We all stand together on sacred ground,” Hargrave said.

NAIDOC Round at the WAFL coincides with National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week celebrations from July 5 to 12, which are held annually across Australia to celebrate the heritage, achievements and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

WAFL clubs Claremont and South Fremantle initiated WAFL NAIDOC Round in 2007 when they wore jumpers designed by Aboriginal artist Richard Walley. The initiative was embraced by the entire competition in 2009, with all WAFL clubs wearing uniforms featuring Aboriginal artwork during the round.

Richard Walley is also the designer of this year’s NAIDOC football.

NAIDOC Round Fixtures

Saturday, July 11

Claremont v South Fremantle

2.10pm at Claremont Showground

Channel 7

East Perth v Subiaco

2.15pm at Medibank Stadium

ABC 720 and KIX Digital

Perth v West Perth

2.15pm at Lathlain Park

Sport FM 91.3fm

Peel Thunder v East Fremantle

2.15pm at Bendigo Bank Stadium