The Collie Eagles teams proudly displayed their indigenous round jumpers for the first time at a home game on the weekend.
The three teams wore the specially designed jumpers two weeks ago when they played in Carey Park, and debuted them on home turf on Sunday.
The Collie Eagles were the first team in the South West Football League to wear specially designed indigenous round jumpers, and club committee members say they hope that other SWFL teams follow suit.
Local indigenous identity James Khan designed the artwork which represented aboriginal dreamtime stories and symbols of aboriginal culture.
“The Boomerang is our hunting tool; the line in boomerang is a symbol of the fresh water serpent Ngangunguddity Walgu, the emu on one side and kangaroo on the other side are our animals, the red spots symbolise the blood, and the rest of the art work is set out in the traditional Aboriginal colours,” Mr Khan said.
Mr Khan said many people went in to helping make the idea a reality and
“Thanks to the South West Football League Committee for approving and helping us to run with the idea.”
“We have had a lot of comment to say it’s one of the best designs people have seen, and hopefully in the future we would like to see all clubs take part and design their own jumpers for the indigenous round,” Mr Khan said.
Collie Eagles Club President Shane Golding said the club is proud to be the first club in the SWFL to
wear special Indigenous Jumpers at the Indigenous Round this year.
“The club will always have the privilege of being the first, and are sincerely grateful and thank our Major Sponsor Lanco-Griffin Coal, James Khan, Grant Smith and Brad Humble for
their part in making this a reality, we have set the Precedent for other clubs in the SWFL to follow,” he said.
The jumpers were made possible after a $5000 donation from Lanco- Griffin Coal, after the club approached them 12 months ago with the idea. Grant Smith from McDonalds and Brad Humble South West Print Group also were a major part of making the project a success.
At a presentation ceremony on Sunday Lanco- Griffin Coal Director of Operations Vinod Kumar, Technical Services Manager Brant Edwards, and Production Manager Steve Pitts were presented with a framed edition of the jumper, and the club also presented a framed version to them.
“Thank you for allowing us to sponsor these jumpers and I congratulate you on the design, I hope you will enjoy wearing them,” Mr Kumar said.
The club has said they will hand their framed jumper proudly in the club rooms next to the Collie Eagles inaugural jumper.