The Riddell DFNL’s “Indigenous Round” is a themed round to acknowledge and celebrate the Indigenous players of our game, and to highlight the proud history of the contribution of indigenous footballers in the RDFNL and the greater region. Importantly, it also celebrates the contribution of the current RDFNL players and the excitement they bring to the league.
The RDFNL has followed the lead of the AFL in introducing a Round dedicated to acknowledging the contribution of Indigenous footballers, and it is worth noting some of following key points which the AFL has provided that highlight the enormous contribution Indigenous Australians have played in the evolution of football. These include:
o Indigenous Australians represent less than 3% of the population, yet make up approx 11% of the AFL lists.
o Indigenous players have won 3 Brownlow Medals, 6 Norm Smith Medals & 3 AFL NAB Rising Star awards, with over 30 Indigenous players being members of an AFL premiership team.
o Up to 25% of current AFL lists players from diverse backgrounds (11% Indigenous).
Some of the initiatives planned for this weekend’s “Indigenous Round” includes:
o Special edition “Indigenous Round” Footy Record with commemorative colour cover
o Launch of RDFNL Indigenous Round logo
o Indigenous players will (where possible) represent their teams at the coin toss
o During the welcome the Ground announcer recognises the traditional owners of the land
o AFL Goldfields will be putting together a series of articles to promote:
1. The strategies and initiatives the Indigenous and Multicultural Reference Committee are implementing to engage members of the Indigenous and Multicultural communities in Football/Netball clubs.
2. Interviews with Indigenous players and key Indigenous community leaders who have some level of involvement with Football/Netball clubs in the Region.
3. The various clubs across the Region who will be wearing special Indigenous Round jumpers this weekend.
o A special Indigenous Round Boomerang Trophy donated by AFL Goldfields that each competing side will be playing for this weekend.
o All AFL Goldfields clubs will be provided with an Indigenous flag to fly at their ground this weekend.
o Following the success in 2016, all matches across all Leagues will use special Indigenous Round footballs in their Senior Football matches.
Indigenous Round Matches
Another huge weekend of RDFNL matches ahead of us this weekend as teams jostle for positions inside the top 6.
This weekend’s round of matches include:
Melton Centrals v Diggers Rest – Saturday 27th May at Arnolds Creek Reserve – 2:00pm Start
Sunbury Kangaroos v Wallan – Saturday 27th May at Eric Boardman Reserve – 2:00pm Start
Woodend-Hesket v Riddell – Saturday 27th May at Gilbert Gordon Oval – 2:00pm Start
Rockbank v Macedon – Saturday 27th May at the Ian Cowie Reserve – 2:00pm Start
Lancefield v Broadford – Saturday 27th May at Lancefield Park – 2:00pm Start
Romsey v Rupertswood – Saturday 27th May at Romsey Park – 2:00pm Start
Last Modified on 22/05/2017 11:07