Community clubs across the state are joining celebrations for Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round.
Broadbeach Cats Juniors are just one club making a feature of it, with all Friday night and Saturday games highlighting the significance of the round.
Prior to each match, players, coaches, team managers and umpires will line up in the centre of the field for acknowledgement of country and the Australian National Anthem, while umpires will sport the flags adorned with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags
Club Treasurer Amanda McGuinness, said it was fitting that matches would be played at Kombumerri Park, which is named after the Kombumerri People.
The name ‘Kombumerri’ derives from the words ‘Koomboo’ (Cobra worm, which is found in the mangroves of this region) and ‘Merri’ (people) – meaning ‘the people who consume the Cobra Worm’.
The central values of the Kombumerri community were to keep life simple and to have respect for family, the environment and self.
For more info on Cats’ celebrations, head to the club’s facebook page.
Elsewhere on the Gold Coast, there’s a special Round of round of Gold Coast junior matches which will see all Under 16 games held at the one venue on Saturday May 27 from 9:00am.
As well as the acknowledgement of country, the Best and Fairest player in each match will be awarded the Karulbo Medal and there’ll be an inflatable football field for the kids to enjoy
About Sir Doug Nicholls
The AFL’s annual round recognising and celebrating Indigenous players and culture is named in honour of Sir Doug Nicholls.
Sir Doug, who epitomised the spirit of reconciliation, played 54 games for Fitzroy and was a brilliant all-round athlete. The first Aboriginal person to be knighted, he also served as Governor of South Australia and was devoted to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
