Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Inclusion
The Perth Football League wishes to acknowledge the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which many of our games are played and our community gathers. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We recognise that football brings us together on Country, to compete, to connect and to belong, and we are committed to ensuring our game remains a place of respect, inclusion and shared understanding.
Club Resources
Developed in partnership with AFL Play, some of these materials offer ideas and best practices to support stronger engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Find information on First National mental health support services available to our football community.
Making Your Club Culturally Inclusive
A practical guide to help clubs create culturally safe and inclusive environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
An interactive map showing the general locations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language and nation groups across Australia.
Tips for a more inclusive club.
A practical resource offering club-level tips and strategies to help community sport organisations become more diverse, welcoming and inclusive for all participants.
How should our club approach designing a NAIDOC Week jumper?
Clubs should first connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players or members within their club to be involved in the design process. They may wish to contribute directly or recommend a family member, artist or community connection to assist.
If your club does not have anyone internally available, consider reaching out to your local government or Aboriginal organisation, who can help connect you with local artists or cultural representatives to ensure the design is developed respectfully and meaningfully.
NAIDOC Week & Round
NAIDOC stands for the National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee.
NAIDOC Week is a national movement celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with roots in early advocacy for First Nations rights and recognition. Each year’s theme encourages reflection, learning and action. Within the PFL, NAIDOC Round provides an opportunity for clubs to honour Traditional Custodians and demonstrate their commitment to reconciliation through artwork, storytelling, ceremonies and community connection.
Guide to Local Football Themed Rounds
A practical guide outlining how community football clubs can plan and run themed rounds throughout the season.
Indigenous Round | Resource Kit
Gippsport’s Indigenous Round Information Kit provides practical guidance and resources to help community clubs plan and deliver a meaningful and culturally respectful Indigenous Round.
An Acknowledgement of Country
What is the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country?
‘Being welcomed to Country means that you are talking to your spiritual ancestors and you’re saying just let this person come through. We trust that they’re not going to do any harm on the Country and so do not harm them’ – Jude Barlow, Ngunnawal Elder.
An Acknowledgement of Country involves visitors acknowledging the original Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander custodians of the land and their long and continuing relationship with their Country. It is a way of showing awareness of and respect for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander custodians of the land on which an event is being held.
Example of a Standard Acknowledgement of Country
“We/I would like to acknowledge the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation (or replace them with the appropriate group if the event is held outside of Perth or interstate), who are the traditional custodians of the land on which this event is taking place. We/I would also like to pay respect to the Elders of the Noongar nation (or replace them with the appropriate group if the event is held outside of Perth or interstate), both past, present and emerging on land we gather and extend that respect to other Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians who are present.”
Cultural Awareness Education
Leagues and clubs are encouraged to build their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage through cultural awareness and inclusion training opportunities.
If your club would like to host a cultural inclusion session, we’d love to support you.
The Story Behind PFL’s Indigenous Artwork
In 2026, the PFL collaborated with Jasmyn Ihanimo, the artist behind Jasmyn Cloe Art. A proud young Yamatji and Yued Noongar woman, Jas shared that her mother’s family is from Geraldton (Whitby) and Moora (Narrier), while her father’s family is from Goroka in Papua New Guinea’s Eastern Highlands Province.
Jas titled the artwork Connected Through Footy, drawing inspiration from the PFL’s new strategic plan, which places a strong focus on inclusion and connection across the community.
Beyond her artwork, Jas is also part of the PFL community on the field, taking the field for Piara Waters Football Club in their women’s side.
The Artworks Story
Connected Through Footy, by Jasmyn Ihanimo
The central group of the artwork represents the Perth Football League (PFL). Surrounding this core are figures symbolising the many people who bring the League to life—players, umpires, staff, volunteers, sponsors, and the wider community. Branching from the main pathway are grouped elements that represent the individual clubs within the PFL. These pathways highlight the League’s commitment to building stronger communities through football, and the deep connections formed between clubs and the League itself. Along the coastline, the smaller pathways depict the journeys clubs take each week—travelling to games, creating memories, celebrating wins, learning from losses, and most importantly, staying united. These pathways also reflect the welcoming of new players, the sense of belonging that clubs foster, and the shared experiences that strengthen community bonds. The groups positioned around the artwork represent the many clubs and teams across the Perth region. The people surrounding these groups embody the players, volunteers, supporters, committee members, and others who contribute to each club’s identity. The groups positioned around the artwork represent clubs across the region—from the coast to the hills Three interconnected groups symbolise the multi-generational nature of football within the PFL— honouring families who share the game across generations: mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, siblings, cousins, and relatives who play side by side. Handprints and footprints woven throughout the piece pay tribute to those who have left a lasting legacy on the League—trailblazers, changemakers, life members, and individuals whose contributions continue to shape the PFL. The artwork also acknowledges that football in Perth is played on Whadjuk Noongar Country—on the land and under the sky. The hills and waterways represent this Country and the deep connection between the game, the land, and the natural elements of Western Australia. The green hills and dot work reflect the flora and natural landscape of Perth. The colour palette draws inspiration from the land itself—the coastline, the hills, and the natural environment—while the main pathway colours are influenced by the Perth Football League. Artwork and story by Jasmyn Ihanimo | Yamatji Yued Noongar Contemporary Artist
