When East Campbelltown Eagles host Belrose Eagles this Sunday, the footy will share the stage with a celebration of our Indigenous brothers and sisters.
Off the field a smoking ceremony, welcome to country and a performance by the Biridja Buruguus Aboriginal Dancers will be the highlights of this annual NAIDOC Week event at Waminda Oval.
On the field, Eagles players across four grades will be wearing special jerseys designed by two Indigenous players and the daughter of first grade coach Richard Barnes.
“We have many Indigenous players, coaches and committee members in our club and they really look forward to this round,’’ says East Campbelltown’s president Daniel Draper.
“The jersey designs look great and it will be a huge day for the community as our club will showcase our Indigenous talents and their proud culture on and off the field.
“We are grateful to our game day sponsors, Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Summit Recruitment and KARI Aboriginal Services,’’ he said.
“As a result of their generous support, our senior players will receive their jersey as a memento of NAIDOC Week.’’
Eagles Under 17s Indigenous player Wylleon Baker designed special jerseys to be worn by his team.
Another Eagles Indigenous player, Thomas Sullivan, designed the jersey to be worn by his reserve grade teammates.
Naya Barnes, the daughter of the club’s Indigenous Sydney Shield coach Richard Barnes designed the Under 23s and Sydney Shield jersey.
The footy matches will start from 10.30am with NAIDOC activities from 2pm leading into the main game between the Eagles and Belrose.
