The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has today launched their 10th annual Indigenous Round at the State Library of Queensland in Brisbane.
QRU Indigenous Program Ambassadors Moses Sorovi and Brandon Paenga-Amosa attended the ‘Deadly Threads’ exhibition which showcased the past nine St.George Queensland Reds Indigenous jerseys.
After wearing it for the Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU First Nations Round against the Brumbies March earlier this year, Sorovi and Paenga-Amosa proudly showed off Queensland’s 2021 Indigenous jersey which they’ll again wear on Friday night against the Auckland-based Blues at Suncorp Stadium.
Following the squad’s successful Reds to Regions tours which centered on connection with the Queensland community, the design for this year’s Indigenous jersey has the same focus.
Created by QRU Future Indigenous Leaders Program (FILP) student Delphine Cecil, the amazing artwork was inspired when she moved away from Woorabinda in central Queensland to attend boarding school in Yeppoon.
Painted in one-sitting, Delphine used memories of the stars and the rugged Australian landscape to maintain her strong connection with her hometown.
“It’s all about connection to the land and the stars. For me it always brings me back here to Woorabinda,” said Ms. Cecil.
QRU Indigenous Program Ambassador Moses Sorovi said: “It means a lot this jersey. It’s an honour to represent all Indigenous people across this great country of ours.
“Delphine’s artwork is really special. I like the design and what it means – the connection between the land, the sky and the people who call it home.
“As players we always look forward to seeing the design each year created by one of the QRU’s FILP students and it’s cool how Dynasty can then incorporate that into a jersey,” said Sorovi.
Inspired by Delphine’s story, Dynasty Sport have created a garment designed to represent this connection to home with the same high specifications and finish that Queensland Rugby fans have come to expect from Dynasty Sport.
Dynasty Sport Managing Director Tyler Rakich said: “Delphine’s artwork stood out this year and we are pleased to feature her design on this season’s Indigenous Jersey.
“We know there’s a sense of pride and acknowledgment that comes with wearing the Jersey and the Future Indigenous Leaders Program has been a fantastic Indigenous initiative from the QRU, assisting students in the Cherbourg and Woorabinda communities,” said Mr. Rakich.
The 2021 Queensland Reds Indigenous Jersey will be worn during Friday night’s Round 4 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Trans-Tasman blockbuster against the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.
First established in 2013, the FILP is a mentoring program the QRU runs in partnership with Rio Tinto in the communities of Cherbourg and Woorabinda where students in Years 6-10 with leadership potential are identified and offered mentoring and support from QRU mentors.
FILP students are encouraged to submit artwork to appear on the St.George Queensland Reds Indigenous Round jersey each year with one student’s artwork awarded the winning design.
The Queensland Rugby Union Future Indigenous Leaders Program and also the Reds Indigenous Round is made possible through the support of Rio Tinto.
Friday’s Indigenous Round match will also see the awarding of the Frank Ivory Medal to the Reds’ player of the match. The medal is named after Queensland's first Indigenous player.
