UWA's Golding makes artful impact

UWA Hockey Club young-gun Harry Golding will wear the UWA Indigenous Round uniform with pride when his side faces Melville in a crucial Premier League clash this weekend.

The rising star designed UWA’s uniforms himself, with a unique story celebrating UWA’s connection with the Whadjuk Noongar people and land represented through the artwork that features.

Golding says he is particularly proud of the achievement, due to Melville’s uniform designed by a family member of his own.

“I’m extremely proud to be able to play in my own design this weekend, it’s pretty special,” Golding says.

“My Aunty, Terri Golding, actually designed Melville’s kit this year, as well as Fremantle Cockburn's previously, so to be able to run out with both uniforms designed by members of our family is something I cherish.”

Speaking on artwork featured on UWA’s uniform, Golding says it’s UWA’s strong connection to the Whadjuk Noongar land, as well as a strong community at UWA, that inspired his story.

“The dots behind the whole design represent the Whadjuk Noongar country that our club is situated on,” Golding says.

“It’s quite significant, as Perry Lakes and Mt Claremont was a traditional hunting, gathering and recreational grounds for Whadjuk Noongar people.

“The darker green outline around the design acknowledges that our club is situated on their land.”

The design showcases a unique aspect of UWA, showcasing a culture at the club where all members, regardless of age or gender group, integrate as one.

“The two meeting places on the back of the shirt represent the junior teams and the UWA Associates, better known as Soaks,” Golding says.

“The two meeting places on the front represent the men’s and women’s community within the club.

“The dots around each meeting place represents how many teams are within that respective community, with a clear dot on every meeting place representing growth within that community”

“The journey lines on the front of the shirt that connect to the main centrepiece of the design represents everyone connecting back at our club house at McGillivray Road, whether it’s to play, socialise, umpire or just to spectate – this is where we gather.”

“Thanks goes to UWA for giving me the opportunity to design a shirt for the club itself – it’s really exciting,” Golding says.

“I really hope that this continues to grow and raise awareness on how important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is to our history and community.

“Hopefully we can see the hockey community come down and get around us on Sunday at UWA in celebration of NAIDOC Week.”

Golding’s UWA side will face off against Melville from 6:00pm Sunday 3 July at UWA Superturf, with the women’s kicking off from 4:00pm.