The Northern Football League’s Indigenous Round will this year be named in honour of Sir Douglas Nicholls.
The AFL’s Indigenous Round was also named the Sir Douglas Nicholls Round, when held across the weekend of May 25-27.
As per the 2015 season, the NFL will this week celebrate Indigenous Round to coincide with NAIDOC Week.
NAIDOC Week celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements, and recognises Indigenous Australians’ contributions to our country.
One of Australia’s most revered figures, Sir Douglas Nicholls was the first Aboriginal footballer to represent Victoria. He later became a minister and Governor of South Australia and was the first Aboriginal person to be knighted.
Earlier this year AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan spoke of Sir Douglas Nicholls’ legacy to both football and the community.
“He represented both the values of our game and epitomised the spirit of reconciliation,” McLachlan said.
“He was the first Indigenous player to represent Victoria at state level, while playing for Fitzroy, and during his life he was an elite runner, boxer, Churches of Christ pastor, Justice of the Peace, was awarded both the MBE (1957) and the OBE (1968) before being knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1972, and served as Governor of South Australia.
“He was a pioneering campaigner for reconciliation but his love for and commitment to Australian football was the glue that brought together all the other facets of his life.”
After playing in the Goulburn Valley for Tongala, then 20-year-old Nicholls tried out for VFL clubs North Melbourne and Carlton before the 1927 season. Nicholls played some reserves matches for Carlton but did not play a senior game.
He joined Northcote in the VFA and made his name as a speedster, capable of spectacular feats, and came to be regarded as the best wingman in the VFA at the time.
He was a member of Northcote’s 1929 premiership team, and finished third in the Recorder Cup voting in 1931, his final season with Northcote.
In 1932, Nicholls joined Fitzroy in the VFL and in 1935, he was the first Aboriginal player to be selected to play for the Victorian interstate team.
He played a total of six seasons for Fitzroy, before returning to Northcote in 1938. Knee injuries forced him to retire in 1939. He returned to Northcote as non-playing coach in 1947.
Off the field, Nicholls worked for the Church of Christ, ran hostels for young Indigenous people and was a field officer for the Aborigines Advancement League.
In 1976 he was appointed the 28th Governor of South Australia, the first Aboriginal person appointed to vice-regal office. He held the position for a year before ill health forced him to relinquish his governorship in April 1977.
28 years since his passing, Sir Douglas Nicholls’ name remains prominent within the NFL community, with the Fitzroy Stars’ home ground named in his honour.
NFL clubs have been encouraged to support the round in a small but significant way.
All seniors and reserves matches this weekend will be using a specially designed indigenous football.
During Sir Douglas Nicholls Round, the Fitzroy Stars will host Thomastown for the NAIDOC Cup.
To mark the occasion, Thomastown will wear a commemorative Aboriginal inspired jumper, designed by local artist Natasha Corrigan.
Ms Corrigan, a Jinibara and Bundjalung woman, said the design represented the many families associated with the club and the local area.
“I hope each player feels a sense of connection to our beautiful country and culture while wearing their jumper proudly.” Ms Corrigan said.
