The Gold Coast SUNS will once again wear a commemorative guernsey to mark the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round this weekend.
The overall design of the Guernsey has been refreshed for 2017 with each current Indigenous player represented by an individual totem.
West Australian Callum Ah Chee is embodied by the Sand Plain Wallaby (Kwoka Kwantan) totem, given to him by his nan’s brother and designed by his mother Valerie.
Image: Original drawing of Ah Chee's Sand Plain Wallaby, designed by Valerie Ah Chee
“It represents my people back in WA,” Ah Chee told goldcoastfc.com.au.
“My pop Jim gave it to me, who’s my nan’s brother.
“He [Jim] also said it symbolises the way I play footy, quick and able to get out of small spaces- he thought that was a handy totem to go with.”
The Indigenous Guernsey has once again been designed by local Yugambeh man Luther Cora and features the red dot background, synonymous with the traditional owners of the Gold Coast land.
The past and present SUNS’ Indigenous players who have each influenced the club’s cultural principles are symbolised by footprints along the back of the Guernsey.
Ah Chee said Sir Dough Nicholls round holds a special place in his heart.
“It’s so good to show off our culture,” he said.
“It’s an Indigenous sport, to showcase that with our Indigenous boys is pretty awesome.
“To wear the guernsey with pride is even better.”
Image: The 2017 Gold Coast SUNS Indigenous Guernsey