The Marist Australian Rules Football Club (MAFC) will this week observe the AFL’s Indigenous round with a whole of Club celebration and all players this weekend wearing a custom and Indigenous designed playing jumper.

MAFC President, Mark Henderson stated, “we are a small representation of the broader ACT and AFL community. We wanted to make a big statement that Indigenous reconciliation is important and we want to let Indigenous Australians know we want to be part of the conversation”.  

The jumper, designed by Canberra Local and 2014 ACT NAIDOC Indigenous Person of the Year, Dion Devow, takes inspiration from the local environment and is unique. Dion stated, “This jumper was developed purposefully for the Football Club and as a proud Indigenous Australian, I have the deepest of thanks to MAFC for undertaking such a symbolic and meaningful gesture to not just indigenous people but to all Australians. Reconciliation is important and we all can play our role to achieve it”.

Key Facts

·     MAFC is the AFL Football Club of Marist College Canberra and was first founded in 1973.

·     MAFC Patron is former AFL Coach and Games record holder, Michael Malthouse.

·     260 players are registered for the Club and every team from Under 10s through to Under 18s will wear the indigenous strip on 27 and 28 May.

·    The MAFC community will come together on Friday evening, 26 May, at the Canberra Deakin Club for a ceremony to mark the AFL’s Indigenous Round. The ceremony will be attended by players, parents and members of the ACT Legislative Assembly and will include a traditional dance by Torres Strait Islander Dance Group, The Beatty Clan Crew.

·     The design of the MAFC website (www.mafc.com.au) has been updated to mark this important event.

Media Contacts :

Mark Henderson, MAFC President on 0404 564 281 or president@mafc.com.au

Katherine Anderson, Public Relations officer Marist College on 02 62987208 or katherineanderson@mcc.act.edu.au