North Melbourne Football Club has proudly revealed its 2024 Indigenous jumper, a vibrant design honoring the club’s First Nations players and celebrating Indigenous culture. Designed by Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara, Ngadjonji, and Taungurung artist Emma Bamblett, the guernsey pays homage to the rich heritage of the club’s Indigenous athletes and their contributions to the team. North Melbourne Unveils 2024 Indigenous Jumper: A Tribute to First Nations Players
The inspiration behind the design stems from the club’s deep connection to its Indigenous players, particularly Yorta Yorta man and seniors co-captain Jy Simpkin, and Wangkathaa Noongar man Robert Hansen Jr. Four kangaroos, each facing different directions, symbolize a mob of kangaroos, signifying strength, unity, and the journey of the club. The kangaroo tracks woven into the design represent the path the club has traveled and continues to navigate.
North Melbourne will proudly don this striking jumper on three occasions during the 2024 season: against Essendon in Round 10, Port Adelaide in Round 11, and the Gold Coast Suns in Round 17, in celebration of NAIDOC Week. The jumper serves as a visual tribute to the Wurundjeri people, traditional owners of the land on which North Melbourne’s home ground, Arden Street Oval, is situated. The design incorporates elements such as a football field and Bunjil, paying respect to the spiritual and cultural significance of the land.
In addition to the Indigenous jumper, North Melbourne will also showcase a specially designed warm-up jumper by Trawlwoolway man of Tasmania and direct descendant of Manaleganna, Danny Gardner. This unique top commemorates the creation of Palawa, the first Tasmanian Aboriginal person, by two spirit brothers, Droemerdene and Moinee. The design reflects the deep connection between the Palawa people and their Country, as well as their profound spiritual ties to their ancestors.
Jy Simpkin, one of the AFL’s two Indigenous skippers alongside Fremantle’s Alex Pearce, stands as a testament to the talent and leadership within Indigenous communities. With 140 games under his belt since debuting for the Kangaroos in 2017, Simpkin continues to inspire both on and off the field. Robert Hansen Jr., recruited via Subiaco in the WAFL during last year’s mid-season draft, adds further depth to North Melbourne’s Indigenous representation, having already played two AFL games.
North Melbourne’s commitment to honoring Indigenous culture through its 2024 jumpers underscores the club’s dedication to reconciliation, respect, and inclusivity. As the Kangaroos take to the field adorned in these striking designs, they not only pay tribute to their Indigenous players but also serve as champions for diversity and unity within the sporting community.
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Source: https://nit.com.au/05-05-2024/11210/north-melbourne-unveil-2024-indigenous-jumper
