2023 Indigenous Round – Wirama Shields

The BFNL Indigenous Round on Dja Dja Wurrung Country will be held this weekend by the Bendigo Football Netball League. This Indigenous themed round has been developed through continued partnerships with Dja Dja Wurrung People who have lived on our traditional lands and cared for djandak (Country) over many thousands of years.

The BFNL are grateful and honoured to continue our partnership with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (trading as DJAARA), highlighted by annual Indigenous themed round played on Dja Dja Wurrung Country which has been developed through ongoing partnerships between DJAARA, the Bendigo FNL and AFL Central Victoria.

The round is being held during 2023 National Reconciliation Week, this year featuring the Eaglehawk and Kyneton Football Netball Clubs at Canterbury Park Oval as the showcase match. This match brings together Central Victorian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members to provide an opportunity for continual learning, whilst paying recognition to the living Aboriginal culture of the traditional owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung.

BFNL Indigenous Round is a much anticipated and ever-developing marquee event for the BFNL, bringing the community together and using local football and netball as a platform to initiate continued conversation and further promote a deeper education surrounding respective local Indigenous history, highlighted by all BFNL clubs competing in the custom designed football and netball uniforms.

The custom BFNL Indigenous designs were first created by local artists back in 2014, each telling the story specific to the historic region of each BFNL club.
This National Reconciliation Week theme is “Be a Voice for Generations”.

The theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work, and socialise. For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, act today for a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.

National Reconciliation Week from 27th May to 3rd June, is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

As customary for the identified feature matches, competing Eaglehawk and Kyneton senior teams will be playing for the Wirama Shield in both football and netball, with individual awards presented to those players judged best afield for their respective teams.

Dja Dja Wurrung Group CEO Rodney Carter said, “Sport is a great way to come together in the spirit of reconciliation – to reflect on our shared history and celebrate our shared love of football and netball. It’s always good to see people come out to support this important event.”

Bendigo Football Netball League Manager, Cameron Tomlins said “We are once again thrilled to partner with the people of DJAARA to present the BFNL Indigenous Round, which is a significant annual event for the League presenting an opportunity for continued education, and recognition or those people have lived on our traditional lands and cared for djandak (Country) over many thousands of years.

“The themed round provides additional opportunities to bring our communities together whilst using local football and netball as a platform to initiate continued conversation and further promote a deeper education surrounding respective local Indigenous history, highlighted by all BFNL clubs competing in the custom designed football and netball uniforms.”

Under 18 and Reserve’s football matches will commence 30 minutes ahead of the regular schedule today to allow us to involve all football and netball playing groups, along with officiating umpires, BFNL and attending Djaara members in our customary on-field welcome to country smoking ceremony.

Some game times have been adjusted only for the feature match Welcome & Smoking Ceremony:

Bendigo FNL Round 7 Match Times: EAGLEHAWK v KYNETON @ Canterbury Park Oval, Eaglehawk:

• 10.15am Under 18 Football (*30-minutes early)
• 11.30am 17 & Under Netball
• 11.30am B-Grade Netball
• 12.00pm Reserves Football (*30-minutes early)
• 1.00pm B-Reserve Netball
• 1.00pm A-Reserve Netball
• 2.00pm Welcome/Smoking Ceremony (on field, Senior Football/A Grade Netball/Umpires)
• 2.20pm Senior Football Match (presentations at the conclusion of the game)
• 2.30pm A-Grade Netball Match (presentations at the conclusion of the game)