A rousing speech from captain Kara Antonio was just one of many moving moments as Fremantle’s AFLW players gathered at sunrise at Fremantle Oval for a smoking ceremony.
As the sun rose over the port city, players, coaches, staff, club partners and Fremantle AFLW members took part in the ceremony led by Elder and no.1 ticket holder Dr Richard Walley.
Players wore their full home kit and held their Indigenous jumper to pass through the smoke.
To start proceedings master of ceremony Ingrid Cumming – who is the Nyungar Cultural Advisor at Curtin University - explained the purpose and meaning of the ceremony.
“The smoke, which will include certain elements of country, promotes healing and protection. It will lift the warra wiern from the Walyalup moort – the bad energy and spirits away from the Fremantle Family - and allow the kwop mooridtij wierm - or good and strong spirit - to replace it,” Cumming said.
Following the ceremony, Antonio addressed the group, calling on them to reflect on the morning whenever they needed to draw strength or inspiration.
“When the going gets tough throughout the season and we think we can’t go any further and we’ve got nothing else to give, think back to this moment,” Antonio said.
“Think back to the connection that we’ve got with each other, the land, to our rich Aboriginal culture in WA and more importantly at our football club.
“I know I speak on behalf of the group when I say that we have much more to give than we did last season.
“Last season was just the beginning and I’m so excited to see what we can do in 2021. If I was wearing any other jumper I’d be pretty scared of the 30 players that stand in front of me.
“To Uncle Richard Walley, Aunty Colleen and Ingrid – thank you for what you do for our football club.
“Without Uncle Richard and Aunty Colleen, this jumper (Fremantle’s Indigenous jumper) wouldn’t have been possible. It was my favourite game to play here at Fremantle Oval last season.”
The smoking ceremony was performed as a part of Fremantle's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which was developed with the assistance of the club's proud Indigenous partner, Woodside.
