The St George Illawarra Dragons have unveiled their 2021 indigenous jersey ahead of the Dragons' Indigenous Round clash against the Wests Tigers at Bankwest Stadium on Friday, May 28.
The Dragons launched its annual indigenous jersey competition in October, where entrants were asked to create a design that recognised and celebrated their culture as well as the spirit and passion of Dragons fans.
We thank the 15 artists who entered and congratulate Johnny Robinson for his winning design. Robinson was selected by a committee that included the Dragons' reconciliation action plan working group, local elders and members of the club's NRL squad.
- Pre-order the Dragons' 2021 indigenous jersey
- Buy the Dragons' inaugural indigenous polo
- Read the latest Dragons Community quarterly report
Robinson, a proud Bundjalung man, hails from Tabulam and has lived in the Hunter region for the last 16 years.
Following the tragic loss of his daughter a decade ago, Robinson lost the motivation to paint and only found a passion for it again after the birth of his second child.
Robinson's design The Gathering represents coming together as one on ancestral Dharawal land which much of the Dragons' catchment covers.
The central circle symbolises the reconciliation of indigenous and non-indigenous people. The gum leaves and white dots within the circle represent traditional smoking ceremonies.
The three circles together represent past, present and future Dragons players. The spiritual guide of Dharawal people, the humpback whale, is surrounded by red and white dots which represent its people and Dragons fans.
All match-worn Indigenous Round jerseys will once again be available for auction.
The Dragons have also launched their inaugural Dragons indigenous polo, designed by Robert McLeod, a proud Yuin/Monaro man who currently resides at Oolong House in Nowra. McLeod's design represents, in his words:
"Our spirit people and our spiritual guides in the dreaming, who are there to protect and guide us in order to gain self-determination and our cultural and spiritual belief of which must be at the forefront for our survival.
"The spirit people are our protectors and the animals are our spiritual guides and totems. This is the journey we take in life. We must reconcile with the past so we can make our future brighter."
St George Illawarra staff and players will proudly wear the indigenous polo moving forward and at our Indigenous Round clash against the Wests Tigers.
Show your support and continue the success of the Dragons' indigenous advancement program by donating to the Dragons Foundation today.
