AFL Launches Sir Doug Nicholls Round
The AFL has launched the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round which will be celebrated over Rounds 10 and 11 of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
Officially launching across the country, the AFL, and its clubs united to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to Australian Football and the country.
This year, the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round coincides with the 30th anniversary of the historic 1992 Mabo decision, where the High Court of Australia recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ traditional ownership of land and country, and that ‘terra nullius’ should not have been applied to Australia.
A significant moment in recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights, the AFL acknowledges the legacy of Torres Strait Islander leader Eddie ‘Koiki’ Mabo and the 1992 Mabo decision as part of the celebrations of the round.
L-R: Jesse Motlop of the Blues, Ben Long of the Saints, Tex Wanganeen of the Bombers and Maurice Rioli of the Tigers pose for a photograph in their teams Indigenous guernsey during the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round Launch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
The 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round fixture highlights include the highly anticipated return of the annual Dreamtime match between Richmond and Essendon at the MCG in Round 10, and the Marngrook Game at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Round 11.
Elite level football will also return to the top end with the Gold Coast SUNS to host games in Round 11 and Round 12 at Darwin’s TIO Stadium.
Present at the Western Australia launch was Jingili/Warramunga/Ngalakan/Arrente man and football legend, Bill Dempsey who has been named the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round Honouree.
Dempsey is a member of the Indigenous Team of the Century and a triple premiership player for both the West Perth and the Darwin Buffaloes. He has represented WA 14 times and played the second-most games in WA football history. Off the field, Dempsey has committed his life to supporting Indigenous communities with his work in public housing.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said Dempsey exemplifies leadership both on and off the field.
“Bill has contributed greatly to our game and community. Bill enters the Australian Football Hall of Fame later this year and is certainly deserving of being this year’s Honoree,” Mr. McLachlan said.
“Sir Doug Nicholls Round is an important occasion for the whole football industry to celebrate and thank Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander players, volunteers, administrators and umpires past and present for their contributions and commitment to the game.”
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AFL Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch said the round provides a platform to celebrate and recognise the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the game.
“First Nations players throughout the history of the game have continued to enrich our football community, from their excellence on the field to their continued efforts striving to make the game more respectful and inclusive for all,” Ms. Hosch said.
“Sir Doug Nicholls Round is synonymous with celebrating the skills and expertise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and increasingly reminding us of the voices, perspectives and leadership of Indigenous peoples across the game’s history, and what we still need to do to bring greater inclusion and respect for all.”
During the round, 18 AFL clubs will wear specially designed Sir Doug Nicholls Round jumpers, while AFL Umpires will wear dedicated shirts designed by two young Aboriginal women from Worawa Aboriginal College.
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Ground signage at a number AFL matches during Rounds 10 and 11 will feature the Aboriginal flag and for the first time, the Torres Strait Islander flag in each of the goal squares, a symbol for meeting place in the centre circle, the Aboriginal symbol for man in each of the 50m arcs, while the name of the Traditional Owners of each ground will appear below the centre circle.
Toby Bedford of the Demons and Jy Simpkin of the Kangaroos pose for a photograph in their teams Indigenous guernsey during the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round Launch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
Season 2022 marks the sixteenth year the AFL has held the dedicated round and is the seventh year it has been named in honour of Sir Doug Nicholls.
Born on Cummeragunja mission in New South Wales in 1906, Sir Doug Nicholls played football for Fitzroy before becoming a Pastor and pioneer for reconciliation in Australia. He then went on to become the first Indigenous person to be Knighted and hold the position of Governor of South Australia
Sir Doug Nicholls’ daughter Aunty Pam Pedersen OAM said the dedicated round was a proud occasion for her family.
“We are proud to join the AFL industry to celebrate the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round, which is a terrific acknowledgment of my father’s legacy to the game,” Ms Pedersen said.
