The South Sydney Rabbitohs have launched their 2021 Indigenous jersey, a special collaboration between a renowned Aboriginal artist and Souths Cares program participants which is a celebration of the next generation, as well as paying our respects to the land on which we train and play, the lands of the Gadigal and Bidjigal Peoples.
The jersey design was facilitated by Uncle Joe Walker, an Aboriginal artist from northern New South Wales and the uncle of Rabbitohs player Cody Walker, and was designed by seven participants from Souths Cares’ community programs - Imogen Grant, Mia Gregory, Tyreece Lyons, Melodey Roberts, Adrian Scanlon, Jayden Simms and Natalie Travato.
They were selected by Souths Cares to be part of this project following the achievement of their cultural, education and employment aspirations in Souths Cares’ programs and have been rewarded for their strong work and diligence over the past 12 months.
The participants have worked with Uncle Joe since the beginning of this year to create the striking design.
The designs on the front of the jersey depict the totems of the sand goanna and the whale which represents the Redfern and La Perouse areas respectively, highlighting the Countries on which the Rabbitohs live and work each day.
The same elements are repeated on the back of the jersey, along with the footprints of the seven Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players that represent the Rabbitohs’ top squad – Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell, Alex Johnston, Dane Gagai, Braidon Burns, Troy Dargan and Joshua Cook.
Aboriginal Warrior, Pemulwuy, is also represented having led a resistance against settlers and fought for his land in 1790.
Along the sides of the jersey are handprints of the young Souths Cares designers that assisted with the creation of the design.
The Rabbitohs will wear the Indigenous jersey in two back-to-back matches next month, against the Penrith Panthers at home at Apex Oval in Dubbo in round 11 and against the Parramatta Eels in the NRL’s Indigenous Round at home at Stadium Australia in round 12.
“We’re all very proud of this jersey and of our connections with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia,” Rabbitohs CEO and Souths Cares Director, Blake Solly, said.
“Our history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent that has represented our Club over the years is second-to-none and the work that Souths Cares does, particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, is awe-inspiring.
“We’re very proud to be wearing this jersey twice this year, first against the Panthers at our home game in Dubbo and then in our home game in Indigenous Round at Stadium Australia against the Eels.
“We’re even prouder that we’ve been able to incorporate the designs of some of our young, creative talents that are participating in Souths Cares’ programs, and that we are able to immortalise their efforts and contributions to the programs through this jersey.
“It truly represents South Sydney and we encourage everyone to get on board with the jersey and come and celebrate our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and the current players within our squad at these two huge games in our calendar.”
The Indigenous jersey is available for pre-sale now by clicking here.
Tickets for the Rabbitohs vs Panthers game in Dubbo are available by clicking here.
Tickets for the Indigenous Round match against the Eels at Stadium Australia are available by clicking here.
