DARREN MONCRIEFF
Monday 23 April 2012
ABORIGINAL footballers can now join their Torres Strait Islander brothers in expressing pride in their culture on the field -- with their feet.
And while that would normally mean playing well, here's a more tangible expression.
Brisbane-based Indigenous-owned and -operated business, Island Kreations, has released its TRAKS branded Aboriginal flag design football boots, the new product complimenting its Torres Strait Islander flag design boots made available last year.
Theresa Yusia-Maricic, owner of Island Kreations and designer of the boots, said the design for both boots has been a long time coming.
Founded in 2011, Island Kreations is owned and operated by Yusia-Maricic, a Torres Strait Islander who traces her heritage to Saibai, Badu and Mer.
Island Kreations intends to expand and produce additional sporting, fashion and household products in the near future.
"The release of the Torres Strait Islander and now Aboriginal flag boots has been a long process from design, finding the right manufacturer, prototyping and finally getting them out to customers," Yusia-Maricic said.
"However, it makes it all worthwhile when you see Indigenous players take to the field in the boots in an obvious display of cultural pride."
Yusia-Maricic's inspiration for the designs came in 2009 when her son, Aaron, played in the Queensland under-12s schoolboys AFL team. He was the only Indigenous boy in that team.
She put stickers on his boots but these didn't last so the need for a permanent solution arose.
"The idea then came to me to get proper boots made using the colours and symbols of the Torres Strait flag," she said.
After getting several samples manufactured, her son and several of his Queensland team-mates wore the boots at last year's inaugural under-15 national KickStart championships, where they proved to be a huge hit.
Aaron would later make the squad of the Flying Boomerangs.
"The boots seem to give the boys a bit of a boost -- they remind them they are not just playing for their jumper but are representing their people, too," Yusia- Maricic said.
"We sincerely hope that the new Aboriginal flag boots have the same impact. On that note we intend to donate quite a few pairs to the AFL Queensland Indigenous Program and hope that they can be used as encouragement awards in remote communities."
"Many Murri, Koori and Nyoongar players at last month's championships asked the Queensland boys if they could get Aboriginal flag boots as well."
Those requests led to Yusia-Maricic negotiating a licence agreement with the designer of the Aboriginal flag, Harold Thomas, which was granted.
"I'm delighted with how the boots turned out," Yusia-Maricic said.
"They're not like some of the boots out there that just have the red, black and yellow colours; our boots proudly display the Aboriginal flag in all its glory and there's absolutely no mistaking what and who they represent.
"I'd love to see my boots eventually worn by Indigenous players across all States and football codes.
"Depending on how my first stock order goes, I'd like to get children's sizes made as soon as possible; at the moment I only have adult sizes available aimed at adult and youth players."
The boots are priced at just $85 per pair. The TRAKS football boots are already in high demand across all football codes.
* The Aboriginal and TSI flag design boots can be ordered by contacting Island Kreations via email at sales@islandkreations.com or by phone on (07) 3879 1724 or 0457-925689.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 23/04/2012 21:44