Queensland Rugby Union Indigenous Round

Queensland Rugby Union has kicked off the twelfth annual Indigenous Round this week, with the Reds going head-to-head against the Blues at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

This year, Queensland will proudly don their Indigenous Jersey for the first time in their Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific home matches. The jersey, designed in collaboration with Canterbury of New Zealand, was created by Nelliarnah Saltner, a student of the Future Indigenous Leaders Program (FILP).

The Indigenous jersey showcases a beautiful combination of purple and pink dots and circles, symbolizing various communities, including Cherbourg and Woorabinda. The dots surrounding the circles represent the challenges faced by these communities, particularly in relation to domestic violence and breast cancer.

Explaining the inspiration behind her design, Saltner expressed, “What inspired me to do this design is that every single person who went through breast cancer or domestic violence, fought. They all fought for their lives, whether they passed or survived, they all fought. And that’s what really inspired me to do this painting.

I did this design because I thought it would best describe it more. The journey wave in the middle describes the challenges against breast cancer and domestic violence. Not only in our culture but in all cultures. The dots around the journey wave on the outside are communities that are coming together as one community.”

She further added, "I chose this design because I felt it best depicted the journey and challenges faced in battling breast cancer and domestic violence. Not just within our culture but in all cultures. The central wave represents the journey, while the surrounding dots signify communities coming together as one."

Dylan Blackman, the Indigenous Strategy Manager at Queensland Rugby Union, expressed his pride in having Nelliarnah Saltner design the Indigenous jersey once again this year. He emphasized the significance of Indigenous Round, as it provides an opportunity for the rugby community to unite and celebrate the unique relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Rugby Union.

Don't miss the thrilling match between the Reds and the Blues at Suncorp Stadium this Friday night, as the Queensland Rugby Union embraces the spirit of Indigenous Round.

You can get your 2023 Queensland Reds Replica Indigenous Jersey today from shop.redsrugby.com.au. Available in Mens, Womens and Kids sizes.