For the second year in a row, Murrumbeena Football and Netball Club, have decided to get involved in celebrations once again during NAIDOC week this year.
‘National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.’ (As described on the official NAIDOC Week website)
Last year Murrumbeena FNC players designed Football guernseys as well as Netball dresses to wear during the round. The design features two frogs, which is a nod to Murrumbeena as it series from the aboriginal word “Mirambeena” - affectionately interpreted as meaning “Land of frogs”.
Aphton King is the sister of an ex senior player, she took a lot of pride in designing the jersey as “she is a proud indigenous woman, who is apart of the Ngiyampaa tribe ans is very community oriented, she also has a big passion for indigenous artwork.” Chery Carter,Murrumbeena FNC Secretary said last year.
Aphton spent hours designing these amazing uniforms last year, with them being such a big hit as well as the importance of having the chance to celebrate Aboriginal people and culture, it something the club wanted to par take in again.
“It’s really important to get involved in the celebrations and we want to continue the tradition from last year”
“We are a community club, and we want to be ‘One Club’ so we are pushing for our Netball teams to get more involved this week, we have moved their games as they usually play at a separate ground then the mens.” Carter added
Murrumbeena have all three netball teams playing at Duncan Mckinnon Reserve on Friday night, playing against; Springvale, Skye and St Kilda City. All three Murrumbeena teams will also be wearing the special designed dresses with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony before their games.
‘Beena’s’ Football sides will play on Saturday at Murrumbeena Park, both the seniors and reserves will be wearing the indigenous guernsey’s as they take on the Doveton Doves.
The Senior game will commence at 2:30 as there will be a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony prior to the Senior Match. The Division 2 Senior match up between 2nd place Doveton Doves and 3rd place Murrumbeena will be this week's Southern FNL feature match and you can catch all the action LIVE on SouthernTV and by clicking the big red button at the bottom of this article.
The Southern FNL wants to congratulate Murrumbeena for the work they are doing this weekend in the community and the way they are celebrating NAIDOC week, as well as wishing all teams the best of luck on the weekend.
