The NSWRL will continue its proud tradition of celebrating First Nations Round in 2025 with match officials again donning a specially designed cultural jersey to be worn as part of NAIDOC week celebrations.
The NSWRL’s First Nations Round (4-6 July) coincides with the annual NAIDOC Week, to be held from 6-13 July in 2025, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of First Nations people.
“First Nations Round presents the Rugby League community with an opportunity to thank and acknowledge the contribution that First Nations people make to our great game,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“First Nations people have played a pivotal role in the history of Rugby League and we proudly celebrate the wonderful players who have graced the field since the game first started more than a century ago.
“I encourage all our stakeholders to get involved with First Nations Round and pay their respects accordingly.”
NSWRL match officials will wear the specially designed jerseys in all NSWRL Major Competitions this round including The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, Jersey Flegg Cup, Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield.
It is the second consecutive season that match officials have worn the jersey designed by NSWRL Community Football Referees Development Officer and former NRL referee Gavin Badger, based on the artwork of First Nations artist Daren Dunn, although this year’s version is slightly different.
“Having an input into the First Nations referees’ jerseys for NSWRL referees to be worn in the NSWRL’s First Nations Round is something that I take pride in," Badger said.
“The feedback from our inaugural jersey last year was quite positive and the referees are looking forward to once again wearing the jersey with pride.
“The NSWRL has been, and always will be, a great breeding ground of success for our First Nations people, and continues to create pathways for not only players, but also match officials.
“This continuing support will hopefully see more First Nations men and women look to continue their involvement in Rugby League outside of the playing space.”
Dunn created a unique piece of artwork for the NSWRL in 2022 titled ‘Walaaybaa’ or ‘Home Country’, which features on a wall at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence.
It reflects the connection between the NSWRL and First Nations culture and is alive with culture, people and activities, with footballs, clap sticks, boomerangs and coolamons appearing across the landscape.
Dunn also created a map of traditional First Nations of NSW which also features on one of the office walls at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence.
Clubs can help celebrate First Nations Round by:
- an Acknowledgment of Country before the main game;
- a Welcome to Country involving local elders or Aboriginal Land Council before the main game;
- a Smoking Ceremony involving local elders before the main game;
- a moment of silence for the Stolen Generation before the main game;
- having traditional dancers before the main game;
- an Acknowledgment of Country in the program;
- referencing the name of the traditional country they are on in the Acknowledgment of Country;
- inviting local Land Council and Elders to the game.
The participation numbers from the First Nations community involved in Rugby League around the state are also strong with almost 31,000 players, coaches, trainers or volunteers.
The NSWRL has strong long-term community partnerships with KARI Foundation and Deadly Choices.
Click here to learn more about the NSWRL’s First Nations partners and programs.
