Jerseys recognise Indigenous players' contribution to local league
Above: The Bulldogs and Crushers line up before kick-off.
Uncle Mick Douglas, left, performed a "Welcome to Country" before the match. He is with Belinda Fleiter, who designed the jersey, and Brad Beetson who organised the Indigenous Round.
It was an emotional moment for Nambour Rugby League Club stalwart Brad Beetson as he watched his son Jack run on to the field in the Indigenous Round at Crushers Park on Saturday against the Beerwah Bulldogs.
“As a child I used to watch my father play, to myself playing to now watching my son play in an Indigenous strip for Crushers is very special to me,” Brad said.
Nambour Crushers Senior Women’s team after the game Saturday.
Brad said Nambour enjoyed a long history of Indigenous, South Sea and Torres Strait Islander players playing for All Whites Souths and now today’s Nambour Crushers.
He said he was particularly proud of Nambour Crushers for the support they offered indigenous players.
“Rugby league has become an integral part of life for many Indigenous families,” he said. “Though we make up only three percent of our country’s population we actually make up for 25 percent of rugby league players in Queensland.”
Division 1 player David Oakes said he was forever grateful for every opportunity he got to represent a culture that was one of the oldest in the world.
“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, we share the same culture and are proud to be indigenous.”
The Crushers wore jerseys specially designed by proud Kuku Yalanji woman and local footy Mum Belinda Fleiter.
“I have been involved in Rugby League for over 21 years when my oldest first signed up to Nambour Crushers,” said Belinda.
“Crushers has always been dear to our hearts, even though I have strayed to another Club I still returned back to Crushers when my youngest decided to return last year. I have two sons that play Seniors in 2022, Ambrose & Mananji.
“There’s just something about Crushers where you know you just belong, doesn’t matter what your colour or background is, if you love your footy then you’re accepted.”
Beerwah won the main match 40-10.
Nambour Women claim first win of season
The Nambour Rugby League Open Women’s team posted their first win of the season on Saturday, beating Beerwah 36-24. Captain A’Eisha Jeffs said it was motivating to get a victory under their belt with two more games to go.
“It’s great to have a win in the bag after all our work and after seeing the progress we’ve made this season. We just really worked hard as a team today and implemented what we’d practiced at training.” This weekend they play Caboolture at Caboolture, then Kawana at home.