WA Football Shares in NAIDOC Week CelebrationsTuesday, July 9, 2024 - 3:53 PM

WA Football is set to celebrate NAIDOC Week with a range of activities across community football in Western Australia. 

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud, which celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud, calls for a reclamation of narratives, an amplification of voices, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. It invites all Australians to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue, fostering a society where the wisdom and contributions of Indigenous peoples are fully valued and respected.

The theme acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones.   

WA Football’s NAIDOC Week celebrations were highlighted over the weekend in the WAFL’s NAIDOC Round and will continue into Round 15 this weekend. Clubs will proudly wear specially designed Indigenous jumpers.  

Metro Junior Football Clubs will also join in the celebrations across two rounds, featuring cultural activities such as Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies. Additionally, clubs will wear their NAIDOC designed jumpers.

WAFC Aboriginal and Diversity Programs Specialist, Jade Narkle designed the NAIDOC polo for staff.

“I am so proud to see the staff wearing the NAIDOC polo I designed,” Narkle said.

“Family is very important to me, and we always talk about our footy family, so I wanted to incorporate that into the design.

“The yellow symbol represents family, Noongar name Moort,” Narkle explains. 

“We talk about our colleagues as our football family and I wanted to represent this on our polo. 

“The green represents the football ovals around Western Australia. Noongar name for land is Boodja.

“The blue represents our waters ways. Noongar name for water is Kep. The waterways are connected all around Western Australia making us all connected.”

WAFC Aboriginal Program Manager, Phil Narkle highlighted the significance of NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for football clubs to engage with Indigenous players and learn more about indigenous culture.

“The WAFC is encouraging all of the WA Football Family to celebrate the contribution of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people at these unique events.

“Indigenous culture is part of football history, and it is important football continues to honour our strong culture that has been around for thousands and thousands of years,” Narkle said.

Narkle further emphasised the role of football clubs in creating a culturally safe environment.

“Football clubs can take a lead in the community by engaging with community Elders and Indigenous business to create a cultural safe environment for not only Indigenous players but Indigenous people,” Narkle said.

Country Football WA celebrated NAIDOC Week over the weekend with leagues and clubs hosting a variety of cultural activities and wearing specially designed jumpers from local artists.