FLAME CELEBRATE NAIDOC WEEK

South Coast Flame were invited to participate in this year’s NAIDOC week celebrations at the Koonawarra Community Centre, alongside other sporting clubs such as the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Illawarra Hawks.

The Flame were represented by womens first grade player Darby Walsh, U/18’s boys player Aiden Chard, U/12’s  GSAP player Breanna Webster and Flame board member Alissa Webster.

This year’s NAIDOC week theme was ‘Get up! Stand up! Show up!’ in order to promote systemic change in solidarity with our indigenous people. Whether it be proper environmental and cultural protections, or calling out racism, we all must stand up together.

Our Flame representatives participated with a number of stalls on display at the event which were set up by local not-for-profit and community organisation, which included activities such as Indigenous arts and crafts.

The day was concluded by a smoking ceremony, which was a first for our younger Flame representatives.

Flame board member Alissa Webster praised the Flame’s representatives on the day and believes that the Flame could further integrate an acknowledgement of country into the club’s events.

“It was an opportunity to come together to celebrate the local Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander community and their positive contribution to the local community” Webster said.

“As I reflect on this significant event I feel proud to have been able to represent the Club as one of the directors along with our players who were great ambassadors.

“As the morning drew to a close we all agreed that it would be great for The Flame to introduce Acknowledgment of Country at our season launch and end of season functions”

South Coast Flame would like to pass on our thanks for the invitation to this special event.

We would also like to congratulate our four representatives on the day who were fantastic ambassadors for our club.

For more information on this year’s NAIDOC week celebrations, visit the NAIDOC website.