Each week Sunshine Coast Lightning athletes wear their netball dress with pride.
That takes on additional significance during Suncorp Super Netball’s Indigenous Round.
The adrenaline and excitement of a USC Stadium Sunday home game will be enriched with First Nations culture, education and recognition.
This year Indigenous Rounds coincide with National Reconciliation Week, promoting the theme of ‘More than a word. Reconciliation takes action’.
As a Club, Sunshine Coast Lightning has invested more time and resources than ever to First Nations education and awareness and Indigenous Round provides a platform to reflect and show our respects.
Lightning is proud to wear the Club’s 2021 Indigenous Dress designed by Kabi Kabi Elder Aunty Hope O’Chin across the Round 5 and Round 6 SSN matches.
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The crux of the design centres around a Lightning bolt cradled within a coolamon – a versatile vessel commonly used to cradle babies, carry water or foods that are gathered, as well as being used to dig the grounds.
The use of the coolamon is very symbolic for a women’s sporting team.
Aunty Hope’s design also includes a nod to the Sunshine Coast through the incorporation of animals.
The longneck turtle, Maroochy swan, a goanna and witchetty grub represent animals from the land and freshwater, while a saltwater turtle, dolphin and crab represent saltwater dreaming.
“It represents the sacredness of all living things,” Aunty Hope said.
“The sacredness of our connections as human beings to all living things – It’s about sustainability.
“It’s about ensuring that you as Sunshine Coast people also share this connection with us.”
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In addition to the exclusive dress design, Lightning’s home game will feature traditional First Nations performances and activities, engaging with the Sunshine Coast Council and local Elders.
As part of the club’s wider community program, Lightning this year engaged with Confident Girls Foundation to facilitate a First Nations program, empowering local First Nations students through netball, education, life skills and leadership activities.
A gift exchange between teams on Sunday will see Lightning present the Firebirds with a traditional nulla-nulla featuring the Confident Girls Foundation students’ artwork, which will take place on court pre-match.
As a Club for the Sunshine Coast, built for and with the community, the ability to give back is imperative, whether that’s through raising cultural awareness and acceptance or in promoting living a healthy lifestyle.
Experience a Sunshine Coast Lightning home game at USC Stadium this Sunday. Watch the world’s best netballers live, right here on the Sunshine Coast.
Celebrate the Suncorp Super Netball Indigenous Round. Tickets available to the Queensland Derby via sunshinecoastlightning.com.au.
