Celebration of First Nations culture on display during Indigenous Round

WA hockey will celebrate and acknowledge the significant contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in the sport of hockey and beyond this week, with the Hockey WA Indigenous Round coinciding with NAIDOC Week this weekend. 

The round, which commences Friday 30 June and runs until Sunday 2 July – the start of NAIDOC Week – will see some clubs within the Premier League wear playing uniforms with unique Indigenous artworks, as well as holding their own respective celebrations. 

Hockey WA CEO Fabian Ross is thrilled to see so many clubs getting behind the Indigenous Round and wearing specially designed kits. 

“Indigenous Round is a time where we can celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the sport of hockey and across the nation,” Ross said. 

“Every year, clubs wear their own respective Indigenous Round playing kits, with some absolutely phenomenal designs. 

“It is really important to understand the story behind each design, educate each other and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and understand the land we play on.” 

This year, North Coast Raiders' Womens’ sides are debuting their brand-new Indigenous strip coinciding with the round and NAIDOC Week.  

The design was done by young OGMHC Indigenous player, Utah John-Furnace, whose sister Montana John-Furnace plays for North Coast Raiders. The graphic design was done by North Coast Raiders player, Nicola Farrow. 

The design brief was to include the history of North Coast Raiders from the start of the Perth Club in 1905 and signifying the City of Perth swan which the clubs still uses today and is known as the 'Rampant Swan'. The design includes the river and the sea, sky and bush, symbolising when the club moved to become the Scarborough Hockey Club and then in 1989 the move to become North Coast Raiders in North Beach. 

WASPs will also be debuting their first-ever strip with Indigenous artwork this weekend and WASPs women’s player Jordan Edwards is thrilled. 

“I’m really excited for WASPs to debut our Indigenous strip this year, especially as we lead into NAIDOC Week,” Edwards said. 

“It is important that we can celebrate the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and gain a better understanding of the land that we live and play hockey on.  

“Wearing this strip allows us to have more conversations and educate ourselves better to understand the Indigenous peoples and their cultures.” 

WASPs’ design is the work of Wesley College Year 12 student Romy Wachter, who is also a part of the school’s hockey program. 

“As we are the Wesley South Perth Hockey Club, the club thought it would be great to connect with a student from Wesley College and it also worked out that he is also a part of the school’s hockey program,” Edwards said. 

“The school’s Headmaster was in support and the Indigenous Coordinator worked to have Romy involved.  

“Romy has designed an amazing jersey for us that tells an amazing story about forging connections within our WASPs hockey community and how our shared love of the game brings us all together.” 

Romy Wachter on the story behind his design on the WASPs new playing uniform: 

“In the creative process of designing this shirt, my aspiration was to encapsulate not just the essence of the players themselves, but to encompass the dynamic and interconnected hockey community that lies at the heart of it all,” Wachter said. 

“The focal point, the centrepiece adorning the chest, serves as a symbol of the cherished meeting place, where players, coaches, devoted families, and all the remarkable individuals who selflessly contribute to the success of WASPS come together in harmony. 

“Above this central artwork is a depiction of interconnected water holes, seamlessly woven together by streams and waterways. This design symbolises the journey experienced by each and every member, both on the ground of the sporting arena and in their personal lives. It encapsulates the diverse encounters with individuals hailing from far-flung lands, each bringing with them unique perspectives, cultures, and stories. It also encompasses the shared trials and triumphs, the moments of resilience in the face of hardship.” 

“In essence, this shirt stands not only as a symbol of our shared love for the game, but also as a visual representation of the profound connections we forge with one another. It is a celebration of the indomitable spirit and unwavering camaraderie that defines our hockey community, as we come together, united under the banner of WASPS, to etch our own stories.” 

Left to right: Kyra White, Trent Mitton, Romy Wachter, Jordan Edwards and Duncan Pearce with WASPs new strip designed by Romy.

Acknowledgement of Country training 

Ahead of this week’s Indigenous Round, NAIDOC Week, and moving forward, Hockey Australia offers training for clubs and members in Acknowledgement of Country on the new Hockey ED platform. 

Clubs and members across the state are encouraged to take up this important online training module. 

Please note you will need to be logged in to your Hockey Ed account to access the training. Find a step-by-step guide to setting up an account here.