Dalby Diehards to wear indigenous jersey for home game during Toowoomba Rugby League’s indigenous round

The Dalby Diehard reserve grade side will don jerseys designed by a former player with longstanding ties to the club, in a special tribute during the TRL’s indigenous round.

NAIDOC WEEK: Luke Tarrant and Lleyton Dogg wearing special Dalby Diehards jerseys designed for the TRL’s indigenous round. 10. Picture: Facebook

Dalby’s reserve grade rugby league side will don deadly indigenous jerseys designed for the Toowoomba Rugby League’s (TRL) NAIDOC round, in a special tribute to their culture.

The Diehards men's teams will take the field on Saturday against the Wattles Warriors, while the women’s sides will take on Brothers Toowoomba.

Dalby Diehards president Tom Kelly said the reserve grade team will be wearing special Indigenous gear designed by their very own Lionel Cubby, whose family has been associated with the club for 20 years.

“Twelve months ago I was approached by some of the indigenous players in the club about these jerseys to fit in with the NRL’s Indigenous round,” Mr Kelly said.

“Unfortunately the season was cancelled, however this year TRL decided to adopt the indigenous round, and we were able to use the one’s stashed away last year this weekend’s home game.”

Mr Kelly spoke of the Mr Cubby’s original works, and his ties with the Dalby Diehards.

“Lionel has been one of our players and designed it for us, with his family being part of the club since the mid 90s,” he said.

“He’s played with us, his brothers are here, and he has nephews playing juniors and seniors.”

The jerseys were designed by Lionel Cubby for the TRL’s indigenous round on July 10. Picture: Facebook

In a post to Facebook, the jersey’s artwork was described in great detail, which spoke of their “warrior spirit” guiding them to success.

“The dinewan (emu) represents the learning that our younger men go through in under 18s, being mentored by our more experienced players and coaches,” the post said.

“The male emu incubates the egg … the red kangaroos represent one of our Gomeroi heroes who grew up to be a leader of his people who created positive change.

“Leaders amongst us are not afraid of change and strive for positive change.”

The concentric lines on the jersey represented each individual journey according to the club, where they will all arrive at the same destination, or “our place”.

The symbols on the white panel represented their warriors coming together to strategize and prepare for battle.

The Dalby Diehards women’s will take on Brothers at 10am on Saturday, followed by the U18s, before a special welcome to country ceremony about 12.45pm.

The reserve and A grade games will follow afterwards.

Originally published as Dalby Diehards to wear indigenous jersey for home game during Toowoomba Rugby League’s indigenous round