The initiative, driven by the club, will see the seniors and reserves footballers wear a newly designed Indigenous strip which features the Murray River and Murray cod, important to First Nations people in the Picola area.
“Seniors and reserves will be wearing an Indigenous jumper designed by Matty Atkinson, a former player of the club,” Picola United committee member Nicole McKenzie said.
“Before the first bounce of the seniors, Matty’s brother Casey Atkinson will kick things off with a Welcome to Country. The Atkinson family continue to have a strong presence after many years involved at Picola United.”
There is a strong history of Indigenous players at Picola United, with many of the famed Cummeragunja football team, made up of Indigenous men living on the Cummeragunja mission, choosing to play with the Blues.
“We are proud of our club’s long history of Indigenous players,” McKenzie said.
“When the Cummeragunja football team disbanded after the 1930s, many of the players joined Picola, Moira and Yalca clubs after the war.
“This game is our tribute to past and present Indigenous players, both footballers and netballers.”
The A and B-grade netballers will also be participating in the round, wearing dresses with Indigenous designs from previous years.
The football jumpers will be auctioned off at a post-match function, where former Picola United player and coach Chris Baksh will be the guest speaker.
Baksh has forged an impressive coaching career in the Northern Territory, leading NTFL club Nightcliff to three premierships, while also coaching the NTFL representative team to victory over SANFL sides Glenelg and Woodville-West Torrens in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Baksh currently coaches the South Cairns Cutters in the AFL Cairns league.
Picola United will be facing Deni Rovers in a do-or-die clash, with both sides caught up in a five-team battle to keep their respective seasons alive.
Just one game separates sixth and 10th place, with the Blues in seventh, however a shock loss to Berrigan last week has put Picola United on the back foot.
With three rounds to go, the Blues play just twice, with the game against Deni followed by a bye, before a final round clash against top-four side Tungamah.
The first bounce in the senior football is scheduled for 2.05pm at Picola Recreation Reserve.
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