The NFNL’s Sir Douglas Nicholls Round will be held this weekend, recognising and celebrating Indigenous players and culture.
The round coincides with NAIDOC Week, which celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history as well as the culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
The NAIDOC 2023 theme is For Our Elders.
Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families.
You can learn more about this year’s theme by clicking here.
NFNL clubs have been encouraged to support the round in a small but significant way, with a specially designed Indigenous football available for clubs to be used in matches this weekend. Some teams will also run out in specially designed Indigenous jumpers across the weekend.
Sir Douglas Nicholls Round is named in honour of one of Australia’s most revered figures, he epitomised the spirit of reconciliation and was a brilliant athlete.
He was the first Aboriginal person to be knighted, served as Governor of South Australia and was devoted to the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Sir Douglas Nicholls was a talented footballer and was the first Aboriginal to represent Victoria at state level.
Sir Douglas Nicholls’ name remains prominent within the Northern Football Netball League community, with the Fitzroy Stars’ home ground named in his honour.
During Sir Douglas Nicholls Round, the Fitzroy Stars senior men’s side will host Old Eltham Collegians while the women’s team take on Greensborough.
