To mark Reconciliation Week, Assumption College athletes will celebrate Indigenous culture and players by wearing a specially designed Indigenous jersey.
The Indigenous jersey was created for Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria Indigenous round, featuring Indigenous art representing stories and culture.
The sporting jerseys were designed by Aboriginal elder Mick Harding.
“For the very first time, Assumption College will be wearing an Indigenous jersey as part of the Indigenous Sporting Round with The Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria,” principal Kate Fogarty said.
“This is a significant milestone. Our firsts boys AFL team, firsts girls basketball team and firsts girls netball team will wear the sporting uniform to build cultural awareness.”
Ms Fogarty said Indigenous round was a great opportunity to highlight the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made to schools, sport, and the wider community.
“It also provides an opportunity to work towards a better understanding and reconciliation,” she said.
“This weekend helps us celebrate and recognises the cultural contribution that Indigenous players, officials and fans make to the game. We have some outstanding Indigenous sporting icons, in all sporting fields.”
Ms Fogarty said Reconciliation Week was a great opportunity for the school’s elite sporting students to help create opportunities to improve inclusivity.
“We want our community to shape the future with hope and kindness,” she said.
“Conducting a welcome to country or an acknowledgement of Traditional Owners demonstrates respect for the Traditional Owners of the land and acknowledges the spiritual, physical and cultural connection to country as the First Peoples.
“We acknowledge the Taungurung people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are gathered and pay our respects to their elders both past and present. The Taungurung people recognised the sacredness of the land on which we gather, and celebrated this with ritual and song.”
