The Dyldam Parramatta Eels will wear the club's first ever Indigenous jersey this Friday night at Pirtek Stadium (Friday 13 May) when the Blue and Gold take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs for Round 10 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Created by the 2015 National Naidoc Artist of the year, Daren Dunn, the jersey is designed to celebrate and pay respect to the traditional owners of Parramatta.
Not only do the Eels call Parramatta home, the Blue and Gold recognises that its history and success - including four premierships - have been shaped by the contributions of Indigenous Australians, and the club’s connection to Parramatta.
In Round 10 of the NRL Telstra Premiership, clubs and fans will celebrate Indigenous Round, with the game paying tribute to the many Indigenous players and communities that play a vital role within Rugby League and wider society.
The NRL will partner with RECOGNISE for the third year in a row, providing a united voice to the movement to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples in the Australian Constitution and ensure there is no place for racial discrimination.
For more information on Indigenous Round, click here.
The Indigenous jersey is available in men's, women's and youth sizes and is exclusively available in the Eels Store. Click through to shop the Eels Indigenous jersey.
Eels winger Semi Radradra and forward Kenny Edwards will also wear special designed boots by Daren Dunn, for the Round 10 clash.
About the Eels Indigenous Jersey: From the artist, Daren Dunn
This jersey celebrates and pays respect to the traditional owners of Parramatta and their deep and rich ancient heritage. The area of Parramatta was known by the Darug people as Burramatta ("Burra" meaning eel and "matta" meaning creek).
The side panels of the jersey represent a welcome dance by the local Aboriginal people to celebrate and acknowledge the "Indigenous Round" with all the cultural groups of Australia with the Parramatta Eels, to celebrate our Cultures as one. It's called the "Shake A Leg" Dance.
The back of jersey represents significant ceremonial sites and meeting places within "Burramatta" especially those most sacred sites to the eastern side near Duck River, Homebush Bay and Parramatta Park.
The front of jersey celebrates and acknowledges the Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal women of today, the past and the future. We pay respect to our Women in our families and communities who lead and support us everyday.
The Eel: "Eel Dreaming" is an important part of our Aboriginal Culture in this region and
is our connection to our Aboriginal Ancestors who look over us and the land everyday. This is the Ancestral Spirit of the Parramatta jersey.
Daren Dunn
Gamilaroi People
"Burrabeedee"
