Focus on youth at Springwood Pumas 4th annual indigenous footy round at Lowe Oval
An extravaganza of indigenous football will welcome younger players at a round of footy fast growing an exemplary reputation for sporting exploits and cultural appreciation.
South West
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An event touted as the best indigenous footy round outside of the AFL is soon to kick off and will this year celebrate its younger players.
The Springwood Pumas fourth annual indigenous round held its jersey presentation on Tuesday at Lowe Oval where play starts on Saturday to the delight of younger players.
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Event founder and lauded AFL Aboriginal player Rhan Hooper has continued his tradition of designing the event’s jerseys which serve as a special remembrance for participants and helps grow the game.
An excited Hooper said the youngsters were front and centre this year.
“We really wanted to get the Under 8s more involved and the kids get to keep their jerseys,” he said.
“And we’re passing on the knowledge to them because they get really fascinated about the didgeridoos, boomerangs and all the artefacts.
“And they get to ask a lot of questions which is really good.”
Saturday boasts a comprehensive list of activities on top of the footy action with demonstrations planned throughout the day, all intended to deepen cultural depth while complimented by on-field exploits.
Hooper said he was pleased with the event’s strong progression which bodes well for the game’s growth in general.
“Indigenous footy has come a long way and every year it just seems to get better and better,” he said.
“The wider community has really gotten behind it and the best thing is the younger players are really into it.
“Then there’s the AFL and all the states are really starting to get behind it.
“And it is really about each individual player, you know, and finding out about where they come from, what their culture is and their tribal names.”
With ochre at the ready and smoking ceremonies planned the day should enjoy fair weather and participants can show off their new jerseys, the design of which tells the story of community footy.
“There’s a couple of circles and they are the footy ovals and you’ve got the lines which represents people travelling to and from the footy ground.
“And then there’s the white dots on the outside of the jersey which just represents the people who come along.
“So it is pretty straight forward but does have a meaning to it.”
SATURDAY’S ROSTER:
– 8:30am; Springwood U8s – U11s games
– 12:00 noon; Reserve grade
– 1:30pm; Adrian Wallin to welcome all guests and Aboriginal dancers
– 1:35pm; Aboriginal dancers to present welcome to country, smoke ceremony
and didgeridoo playing.
– 2:00pm; A grade game
– 3:00pm; Half time, Springwood Under 8s play and song and dance from the
Yerongpan Dance Group
– 3:20pm; A Grade second half