This week marks the Queensland Rugby Union’s eleventh annual Indigenous Round as the Queensland Reds host Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Queensland will wear their 2022 Indigenous jerseys, made by Dynasty Sport, for the first time this Super Rugby Pacific season, with the jersey featuring a piece of artwork designed by Queensland Rugby Union Future Indigenous Leaders Program (FILP) participant Taleisha Harrison.
Harrison’s design depicts a river splitting First Nation men and women as they meet and discuss their business as they would have over history.
The pink and purple represent the women, and the red and black the men, while the kangaroo prints beside the river signifies Harrison’s home of Woorabinda, which means Kangaroo Sit Down.
Harrison said: “I’m very excited to have my artwork on the Queensland Reds jerseys this year.
“The stories my mum has told me inspired the art and I think it looks great. I can’t wait to see the jerseys on the field.”
Queensland Rugby Union Indigenous Strategy Manager Dylan Blackman said: “It’s an amazing opportunity for a young Indigenous student in our program to design the 2022 Reds Indigenous jersey.
“The build-up for Indigenous Round has been amazing at the QRU and all the players and staff are very excited.
“It’s an opportunity for the game to walk together alongside our Indigenous community and celebrate the unique relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Rugby Union.”
The jersey holds particular significance for Floyd Aubrey, Connor Vest, Kalani Thomas, Ryan Smith and Isaac Henry, who are the QRU’s Indigenous Program ambassadors for 2022.
Vest, a proud Indigenous man, said the round is a special occasion for the entire squad.
“It’s a great honour to wear this jersey and represent Indigenous people around the state,” the Reds forward said.
“It’s something we look forward to seeing every year and Taleisha has done a great job on the design.”
Friday night's fixture 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.
Buy your 2022 Dynasty Sport Reds Indigenous jersey via https://shop.redsrugby.com.au/.
