St George Illawarra have today unveiled their 2020 Indigenous jersey to be worn in the Dragons' Round 12 clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah on Thursday, July 30.
St George Illawarra launched an Indigenous jersey design competition in November, encouraging artists from within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to submit a painting design that recognises and celebrates their culture as well as the spirit and passion of Dragons fans.
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We thank the 31 artists who entered designs, and congratulate Jakeob Watson and Elenore Binge whose designs were selected by a committee comprised of members of the Dragons' Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, local Aboriginal Elders and players Cameron McInnes, Tyson Frizell, Josh Kerr, Tristan Sailor and Jayden Sullivan.
The front of jersey design, entitled Dragons Community by Watson, showcases spiritual guides, the humpback and footprints of the kangaroo within the hunting boomerang and pays respect to the Dragons' playing group, their families, staff and supporters including the Dharawal-speaking people.
The smaller community groups and pathways in grey represent the different backgrounds and journeys travelled by all players and supporters, showing that in the end they are all tied together by the strength of the Dragon’s jersey.
The lower back of jersey design, entitled Dharawal Country – Spirit of the Dragons by Binge, demonstrates a representation of two meeting places – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium and WIN Stadium – while the U-shaped symbols embody the traditional Bidjigal and Wadi Wadi custodians where the stadiums stands.
The little people are a depiction of the youth while the two spirit figures watch over and guide them through life. Hands are a representation of the traditional custodians of the land while the circle symbolises community; the whale is the totemic animal of the Dharawal people, and the goanna represents the people of the mainland. These three symbols represent health, education and social issues.
In further exciting news, the match-worn Indigenous Round jerseys will be available for auction, including the individual signed jersey of each of the 17 players that took the field, as well as two team-signed jerseys.
The funds will go directly to Dragons Community in their bid to help facilitate their indigenous advancement programs.
