Toowoomba Rugby League’s Indigenous Round to honour past and inspire future

The SWQ Emus have combined with the TRL to provide the designs for nine clubs to wear during Indigenous Round.

The design from Charlie Waters that will appear on the jerseys of nine TRL clubs for Indigenous Round. Photo: Charlie Waters

RUGBY LEAGUE: An important piece of history will be created in the Toowoomba Rugby League this weekend.

Coinciding with NAIDOC week, the TRL will play host to its inaugural Indigenous Round across the competition.

All 12 A-grade clubs will wear specially designed jerseys for their respective matches this weekend.

Nine of those designs will come through the Southwest Queensland Emus, incorporating both the NAIDOC theme of ‘Heal Country’ and the club colours of each team.

Pittsworth Danes.

“It’s great to see the TRL take that next step in acknowledging First Nations people,” Emus president Gary Halliday said.

“Nine of the clubs will be wearing our design, which was put together by my cousin Charlie Waters.

Wattles Warriors

“He played in the Toowoomba competition a few years ago so it’s a great way to give back.

“For us it’s about making sure that we are connected and respectful with the original NAIDOC theme in relationship with the TRL.”

Oakey Bears.

The design of Waters will appear on the front of each jersey, has the following explanation behind its significance:

Valleys Roosters.

“We are connected to mother Earth. Our veins go deep. Our responsibility. Follow in the foot steps of our ancestors. Our relationships.”

Warwick Cowboys

A Kamilaroi descendant, Halliday said this concept would help to acknowledge the contributions of past players, as well as setting an example for the future generations.

Southern Suburbs.

“There’s a sense of pride and joy, and the passion for our young people and elders is strong,” he said.

“You talk to some of the older blokes and there was a struggle to get a concept like this going.

Highfields Eagles

“For the current committee it’s a sense of giving back to our older footballers.

SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGE DISCUSS USE WITH YOUR EDITOR - Goondiwindi Hawks Indigenous Round jersey.

“For young players watching, to see both Indigenous and non-Indigenous players running out there in the jerseys gives them something to aspire to, and it’s a great way of building those relationships with the wider community.”

Gatton Hawks.