The GIANTS will wear a specially-designed jumper during their Indigenous Round match against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The jumper will be worn during the AFL’s official Indigenous Round this weekend as well as in front of a home crowd against the Brisbane Lions in round 10 at Spotless Stadium.
This is the second year the GIANTS will wear a specially-designed jumper to commemorate the round, with this year’s jumper designed by Wagga Wagga’s Luke Penrith.
The jumper design incorporates the five rivers that run through the club’s region - the Georges River to the south, the Hawkesbury to the north, the Nepean to the west, the Parramatta River that runs through the heart of Greater Western Sydney and the Murrumbidgee River which runs through the ACT and the middle of the Riverina.
Rivers were and are still an essential part of Aboriginal culture and provide Aboriginal people with a rich and abundant source of food, representative of the giver of life. With the strong direction of the current, it’s always moving in a forward direction.
The hand of hope in the centre of the jumper has five fingers representing five different characteristics: dedication, resilience, honesty, talent and the willingness to learn and grow.
The bubble represents the Eora nation of Sydney and the mutual understanding to acknowledge Elders both past and present.
Penrith is a proud Aboriginal man with cultural ties to the Wiradjuri, Wotjobaluk, Yuin and Gumbaynggirr nations.
Growing up in Wagga Wagga in the Riverina, sport and culture played a vital role in his development.
"The design of the rivers means a lot to my family and I,” Penrith said.
“We continually gather, reflect and celebrate on the riverbanks as Aboriginal people. It's a meeting place for modern day Corroborees.
“Aussie rules footy is a part of my daily life; my children, my extended family and I live and breathe it.
"It's deadly to be associated with the GIANTS, they have a talented and driven bunch of blokes.”
The GIANTS have six Indigenous players on their list: Curtly Hampton, Nathan Wilson, Zac Williams, Jarrod Pickett, Paul Ahern and Jeremy Finlayson.
The GIANTS play the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, May 30 at 4.35pm as part of the AFL's 2015 Indigenous Round.
The jumper can be purchased now from shop.gwsgiants.com.au
GIANTS to Wear Indigenous Jumper
The GIANTS will wear a specially-designed jumper during their Indigenous Round match against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
