GSFL plays Inaugural Indigenous Round

Excitement is building ahead of the first Indigenous Round to be played in the Great Southern Football League this weekend.

The GSFL introduced the concept when they released their 2014 fixtures and it has drawn widespread support from the local community as indigenous players, coaches and umpires are recognised for their contribution to the local league and abroad.

All three round 8 fixtures are on Saturday this weekend, with Denmark-Walpole hosting Mt Barker, Railways clashing with North Albany at Tigerland and Albany at home to the Royals.

Specially designed jumpers have been made and will be awarded to the best player on the ground in the league, reserves and colts matches at each ground.

The best-on-ground player in each league game will also receive a Burley football.

The inaugural local Indigenous Round will coincide with the 2014 AFL Indigenous Round, which begins tonight.

GSFL president Kym Jones said this round was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the league’s rich indigenous history.

“This round recognises the contributions the indigenous boys have made to local football as players, coaches and umpires,” he said.

“The initial idea came from Jayson Ford, who approached me about six months ago, and everybody has really embraced it.

“There has been some outstanding indigenous talent from this region and the recognition they get through this round should be fantastic.”

Indigenous players such as former Fremantle and Melbourne star Jeff Farmer, ex-Essendon midfielder Russell Williams and East Perth gun Shawn Colbung are among some of the local players to come from the GSFL.

Stuart Roberts, from the Southern Aboriginal Corporation, the co-ordinating organisation, said this was a terrific initiative.

“The Indigenous Round is a celebration of the Great Southern Football League’s rich history of indigenous participation from all areas of the Noongar community,” he said.

“Players past and present, the loyal and at times passionate spectators, the parents who have supported their kids entering the junior ranks as well as those who have long supported their children in pursuing their dreams of playing football professionally.”

Roberts said football played an important role in helping achieve social equality and acceptance for Aboriginal people within society.

As part of the GSFL Indigenous Round, an indigenous team has been selected that samples some of the talent over the years.

The side has been selected mainly around players who have finished playing or are coming to an end of their playing days.

The selectors stressed this was only a sample of the talent, and they were aware there were many worthy players and it was by no means a definitive list.

That side includes the likes of Farmer, Russell Williams and veteran Jono Woods, who is still playing.

Between those 24 players named, there have been five Kleemann Medallists who have won seven medals in total.