There’s a special reason behind why Fremantle will wear their 2020 ‘clash’ Indigenous jumper in Wednesday’s game against Richmond at Metricon Stadium.

Wednesday 2 September is celebrated as Indigenous Literacy Day, a day that highlights the need to close the gap in literacy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

According to the 2018 National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), only 36% of Indigenous Year 5 students in very remote areas are at or above national minimum reading standards, compared to 96% for non-Indigenous students in major cities.

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is active in more then 400 remote communities around Australia and works to make a difference to the lives of Indigenous families by not only gifting thousands of new culturally appropriate books – with a focus on early literacy and first language - but also by running programs to inspire the communities to tell and publish their own stories.

At Fremantle’s community camp to the Kimberley in February, Fremantle players delivered school and writing supplies to Holy Rosary Primary in Derby and Broome Primary School, on behalf of the club’s charity partner GiveWright.

Fremantle’s 2020 ‘clash’ Indigenous jumper uses the same design as the ‘home’ jumper by Antoni Grover and his sisters Nicole and Alicia, but features a white background.

Click here for more information on the meaning behind the jumper.