A fitting tribute to those who first walked the land.
The whole region has an incredible indigenous history, one to be celebrated.
In 2019, the Kyabram District League will do just that with the league’s indigenous round.
For the first time, all KDL clubs will wear specially designed indigenous football guernseys and netball dresses.
KDL League Operations Officer Sharon O’Dwyer said the league was excited to expand on their already existing indigenous round.
‘‘Hume Dhelk Dja (an Aboriginal program aimed at preventing family violence) and the KDL formed a partnership about seven years ago with a sponsorship of the Netball Good Sports award and the ‘Say No to Violence’ round,’’ she said.
‘‘Last year this developed further to include an indigenous game between Ardmona and Tallygaroopna. These two clubs received indigenous designed jumpers and netball dresses to wear for the match. Quite a few club requested involvement with an indigenous round as well.
‘‘This year it has gone a step further with all KDL clubs participating. All clubs have been involved with designing of the jumper and dress to reflect their club and their community. All grades, with the exception of C reserve and 13 and under grades will receive jumpers and dresses to wear for the round.’’
The league has confirmed there are long term plans for the round.
‘‘The league sees this as a long term commitment and it will become an annual event. ‘Say No to Violence’ round has been an annual event and the league wide indigenous round will become annual event also.’’
The league has commissioned the jumpers and dresses to be made, with clubs providing input to the designing process.
The guernseys and dresses will be retained by the league for two years.
The strips will first be revealed at the Hume Dhelk Dja NAIDOC week dinner to be held on Wednesday, July 10.