The Maryborough Castlemaine 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 MCDFNL and the greater region. Importantly, it also celebrates the contribution of the current MCDFNL players and the excitement they bring to the league.
The MCDFNL has followed the lead of the AFL in introducing a Round dedicated to acknowledge 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 Launch of MCDFNL Indigenous Round logo
o The colours of the indigenous flag will be painted in the centre circle at all venues
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 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 MCDFNL matches ahead of us this weekend as teams jostle for positions inside the top 8.
This weekend’s round of matches include
Maldon v Trentham – Saturday 27th May at the Bill Woodfull Recreation Reserve – 2:35pm Start
Dunolly v Newstead – Saturday 27th May at the Deledio Reserve – 2:35pm Start
Natte Bealiba v Campbells Creek – Saturday 27th May at the Natte Yallock Recreation Reserve – 2:35pm Start
Navarre v Carisbrook – Saturday 27th May at the Navarre Sports Complex – 2:35pm Start
Harcourt v Royal Park – Saturday 27th May at the Sims Dental Reserve – 2:35pm Start
Talbot v Lexton – Saturday 27th May at the Talbot Recreation Reserve – 2:35pm Start
Maryborough Rovers v Avoca – Sunday 28th May at Princes Park – 2:35pm Start
Last Modified on 22/05/2017 11:37