The Swans’ footballers and netballers will all wear Indigenous-designed warm-up shirts as the Goulburn Valley League celebrates its Indigenous Round this weekend.
The warm-up shirts, which were designed by members at the club, feature a swan, turtles, platypuses and a river.
The long-neck turtle represents the Yorta Yorta people, while the platypus represents the Bangerang people.
The symbols within the circles are people gathering.
Shepparton Swans president Jarrad Sutherland said the club was proud to be involved with the local Indigenous community and excited to showcase the warm-up shirts.
“We are proud of the involvement that we have with the Indigenous community. We’ve had a lot of Indigenous players over the years who have not only been fantastic people but fantastic sports people as well,” he said.
“It’s great that the club is able to celebrate Indigenous culture and recognise the traditional owners of the land.”
Sutherland highlighted that the club would conduct a smoking ceremony, along with a Welcome to Country prior to the senior football and netball matches.
Swans footballer Will Dwyer will perform the smoking ceremony, while his Mum Leonie will perform the Welcome to Country.
“We’ve got a smoking ceremony that Will (Dwyer) is doing and his Mum Leonie will conduct the welcome to country as well which will be fantastic,” Sutherland said.
“We also have exchanging of gifts for each grade of football and netball throughout the day.
“Echuca has been great as well in helping organise the day. They have been very accommodating and welcoming and we thank them for their involvement.”
Dwyer, a Yorta Yorta man, said he was thrilled to be involved in this weekend’s pre-match ceremony.
“It’s going to be very exciting for my family and my ancestors because this is our traditional area, the Yorta Yorta people which runs all the way to Echuca, and the fact we are playing Echuca is very important,” Dwyer said.
“I’ll be thinking of my ancestors and everything they have passed down the line on Marngrook.
“And for the Swans to implement the smoking ceremonies and welcome to country means a lot to my brothers, my mother and her family as well.’’
Dwyer said he hoped he could line up in the senior side alongside his brother Zach on Saturday.
“Hopefully I’m playing alongside my brother this weekend, that will be very exciting,” he said.
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