NTFA to hold first Indigenous RoundLONG-time Rocherlea Football Club man Graeme Gardner can't exactly pinpoint the one, key moment the thought came to him, but he remembers well the pace at which the North Tasmanian Football Association embraced his idea to hold an Indigenous Round -- that it was quick.
The NTFA will this week launch its own week-long celebrations of Aboriginal people's contribution to football in Tasmania. And while it won't rival that of the Australian Football League's week-long celebrations in Melbourne this week, the fact the island State association has welcomed the concept points to how far football has come across the country in building bridges.
The NTFA's Indigenous Round is the first of its kind outside the AFL's, and in Tasmania.
"It was just one of those things that people didn't need too much convincing to do," Gardner said. "It was more 'Why
dont we do something'. And the good thing about it is the NTFA is making it meaningful; it's become more than just a gesture, it's something the community will be proud of."
NTFA president Geoff Lyons said the Indigenous Round was a fantastic initiative.
"It's a great idea and for us it was, 'Let's do it'. It's all developed from that point and now its becoming bigger than Ben Hur!" he said. "Every club I've ever played with has had Aboriginal players. I just reckon we should highlight and congratulate and celebrate the wonderful Aboriginal players in our various competitions in the NTFA."
NTFA club Rocherlea, of which Gardner has coached previously, will play rivals Longford as the association's centrepiece to its celebrations on Saturday. By a quirk of circumstance, Rocherlea and Longford are both 'Tigers'; Longford has come back to its original competition after time in another, while Rocherlea joined the NTFA in its absence. (Longford will wear an 'away' Tigers jumper on Saturday). After five rounds, Rocherlea sit in second place on the eight-team Division 1 competition ladder. Longford is fifth.
Rocherlea, which has won four senior and a single State carnival premiership since its formation in 1951, has 17 Aboriginal players across its three grades. But it wasn't always like this.
"Not historically but more so in later years have Aboriginal players joined the club," Gardner said. "And that's been to the benefit of the club because they're really good footy players and they're drawing another supporter base to the club."
Gardner, who is manager of the State-wide, Launceston-based Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania, said the NTFA's embrace of the concept reflects a broader social change.
"If you look at social attitudes towards minorities, it has changed because sport is one of the leaders of change," he said. "The NTFA has been a leader in stamping out racial vilification and that would be fair to say of a lot of football competitions, not only in Tasmania but across the country. Attiudes have changed."
There are several activities this week in Laucneston in the lead-up to Saturday. A number of Aboriginal football legends, including Carlton premiership player Syd Jackson, will be special guests at a mid-week function. Several current Indigenous AFL players will also be in town for the function.
* See the Photo Gallery for the NTFA's Indigenous Round promotional posters.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Last Modified on 19/05/2009 01:39