Shepparton United footballers and netballers represented more than just their club at last weekend’s game, as it debuted its Indigenous guernseys and bibs designed by Yorta Yorta artist, Alkina Edwards.
Designed by Yorta Yorta artist Alkina Edwards, who has a close connection to United football captain Kyle Clarke, the design is centred around the turtle, which is the Yorta Yorta totem.
The circles surrounding it then represent a meeting place where everybody coincides, something Edwards thought was fitting for the environment created by a football and netball club.
Shepparton United Football Netball Club president Bec Monke explained how the idea of creating an Indigenous jumper began.
“It is fantastic to be able to debut these jumpers, especially given we have First Nations Indigenous players as our captains in Kyle Clarke and Jessie Barnes,” Ms Monke said.
“It all started in the back of one of our committee-man’s cars on the way to a game, where the senior playing group were talking about potentially getting a design.
“And then Clarkey (Kyle Clarke) just used his own initiative to get one of the local artists on board and she came up with the design which looks fabulous.
“We’ve embraced it with the football jumpers and playing bibs and hopefully next year we can work with the GVL who have a grant to create a netball dress that incorporates this same design.”
Following in the footsteps of Kyabram and Echuca, who have been trailblazers in this space over recent seasons, Monke said it was fantastic to be able to represent the region’s proud Indigenous culture in this manner.
“It is great that we are standing up and are really proud of the country we are standing on, acknowledging both Yorta Yorta and Bangerang,” she said.
“This is a great starting point for our club and something we are hoping to continue to develop moving forward.”
For Demons football captain and proud Yorta Yorta man Clarke, he said the opportunity to run out on to the field representing this design was something he was very proud of.
“It is a big achievement for the club and I am very proud of the club for going along with the jumper and acknowledging our Indigenous culture,” Mr Clarke said.
“I’ve got my old man and cousin playing in the reserves as well so a lot of the family will come down and watch — making for a really special day.”
This sentiment was shared by United netball captain and Wiradjuri woman Jessie Barnes, who cannot wait to showcase the design on her bib this weekend.
“It is really great to be able to do this, we had a round for NAIDOC last year when we played the Swans, so it’s nice to see it continue and have the design as part of our dresses this year,” Ms Barnes said.
“I’ve been involved with the club for a few years now and this is the first time we’ve had the design, and with my partner Jamie who is a Yorta Yorta fella coming across to United and having my daughter here it is great timing.”