Celebrating Indigenous Round 2016
Thursday, May 12, 2016
The Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks are proud to this weekend launch the 2016 Indigenous Round recognising the traditional owners of the land we live in and also recognising and celebrating Indigenous players and culture.
“As a club we are delighted to get the opportunity to celebrate the Indigenous involvement in the game of rugby league.” Coach Kristian Woolf said.
“Townsville has a history of producing outstanding Indigenous talent and we have many of our own talented Indigenous players in our squad.”
Indeed the Mendi Blackhawks Indigenous players, Jonathon Reuben, Nathan Norford, Kyle Laybutt, Anthony Mitchell, Hezron Murgha, Noel Underwood, Lenny Magey, Temone Power and Ray Thompson makes for not only an exciting list of rugby league stars but also a group of fantastic role models.
Excitement is building among the playing group with Co-Captain Anthony Mitchell saying this week that he cannot wait to don his jersey, “It is a fantastic weekend and means a great deal to me and my family being Aboriginal. It also is a huge weekend for all Indigenous and Torre Strait Islanders as it is a great step forward in reconciliation and recognising Australia’s Indigenous people”
As part of our Indigenous Round celebrations there will be Welcome to Country Ceremony with representatives from the Bindal and Wulgurukaba people held prior to the Intrust Super Cup match between the Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks and the CQ Capras.
Following the match fans will get the opportunity to bid on the actual playing jerseys worn in the Round 10 Intrust Super Cup Clash between the Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks and the CQ Capras on Saturday 14th May 2016. As the team is subject to change up until kick off we are unable to open the bidding until the game has been completed.
These special edition Indigenous Jerseys were designed by Emu Sportswear in consultation with Wulgurukaba and Bindal representatives will be worn in recognition of Indigenous Round 2016. Jerseys will be individually signed by the specific player who wears it during the game.
The Reserve is $75.00 for each jersey. Bids under reserve will not be accepted. Bids will close at 5pm on Thursday 19th May 2016. You can BID ON THE JERSEY OF YOUR CHOICE HERE.
Remember that bidding will not open until after Saturday’s Match.
This weekend’s Round 10 clash comes after a week of Representative fixtures in which some of our Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks were involved but the majority enjoyed a week off with the scheduled BYE.
The Mendi Blackhawks will take on a full strength CQ Capras side who, as coach Kim Williams revealed to the Rockhampton media this week, are upbeat about their chances against the ladder leading Mendi Blackhawks following a promising start to season 2016.
Coach Woolf admits that the CQ Capras are a team on the up, “They have been very competitive so far this year with some really strong performances against good teams.”
“They had an especially good win over a strong Burleigh side so they are certainly not to be taken lightly.” Woolf said.
The Indigenous Round Game Day experience will kick off with local rugby league as Brothers take on Herbert River in the Under 18s at 11am on Field 1. This match will be followed by Brothers vs Herbert River Reserve Grade at 12:30pm on Field 1 whilst the same opposition will contest the Under 20’s match simultaneously on Field 2. The A-Grade fixture between Brothers and Herbert River will kick off at 2pm.
The main game of Indigenous Round will see the Mendi Blackhawks taking to the field wearing our special 2016 Indigenous Jersey to play the CQ Capras at 4pm.
