Thirroul JFC will celebrate NAIDOC on Sunday, 4 October when our Thunderbirds Division 2 and 3 teams wear specially designed Indigenous shirts in their respective matches against Bulli and Oak Flats Wildcats at Gibson Park.

The celebrations will commence at 11.30am, with the games at 12pm and 2pm.

This is a player-driven initiative that Thirroul JFC hopes will be embraced by other teams within our club and the FSC women’s competition next season and in future years to promote inclusiveness and celebrate Indigenous culture, history and achievement.

NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. This year’s theme is: “Always Was, Always Will Be”.

The Thunderbirds have had a number of players represent Illawarra Bungarras at the National Indigenous Football Championships in recent seasons and last Sunday the Division 1 team took part in NAIDOC celebrations hosted by Albion Park at Terry Reserve.

The design for the shirts was created by Yuin woman, Rheanna Lotter, of Ngandabaa Aboriginal Art.

Thirroul JFC thanks Bando Contracting, a local business with connections to our club, for their sponsorship of the design cost.

Each Thunderbirds player has purchased her own shirt and the club hopes they will have further opportunities to play in them.

Due to the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, it has been difficult to organise Thirroul JFC’s inaugural Indigenous Round and the club views Sunday as a small start to what is hoped will become a bigger event in coming seasons.