For the first time, all teams at the Glenmore Bulls Australian Football Club will don their Indigenous guernsey for Sir Doug Nicholls Round to recognises the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contributions to the great game of Australian Football.
The Glenmore Bulls have a strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and has provided many local Indigenous footballers with the opportunity to play in a social space where young men and women feel connected and safe.
This is largely thanks to people like Treasurer Scott Salter and Grounds and Facilities Manager John Thirkettle who have been the driving forces behind the club’s efforts to celebrate and recognise Sir Doug Nicholls Round each year.
Salter said they had connected with their community members for support and was proud with what they have all achieved together.
“Glenmore Bulls prides itself on creating a truly inclusive and welcoming club for all, we work with Central Queensland Indigenous Development (CQID) and Darumbal to provide a community platform and promote the vital work they do within the Rockhampton region,” Salter said.
“We also work closely with the schools and police from the Woorabinda Community.
“We are hoping more AFL Capricornia clubs join with us to celebrate the contribution of Indigenous players within the AFL community.”
Among the club’s many Sir Doug Nicholls Round initiatives is their Indigenous Guernsey.
The club worked with renowned local Rockhampton Indigenous artist James Waterton who used his specially designed artwork to create Indigenous Guernsey’s for all Glenmore Bulls’ teams to wear to celebrate their Indigenous culture.
The artwork was painted by James in 2021 and has been on showcase in the Bulls’ dressing sheds ever since.
Several traditional Indigenous ceremonies will also take place on Saturday, including a Welcome to Country, didgeridoo performance and traditional Darumbal and Torres Strait Islander dances.
Free face painting and Indigenous ground markings will also be on show and have been generously supported by Rockhampton Regional Councillor Donna Kirkland.
All teams will play Brothers Kangaroos at Stenlake Park on Saturday, May 20 with the U15 Youth Girls kicking off at 8.30am, an Indigenous Ceremony at 2pm followed by the Senior Women and Men’s games.
SDNR at Stenlake Park
8.30am: U15 Girls
9.45am: U15 Boys
11.00am: U17 Boys
12.45pm: Reserves
2.00pm: Indigenous Ceremony
3.00pm: Senior Women
4.30pm: Senior Men
