Teens taking part in a Sydney schoolboy rugby championship are putting aside fierce rivalries for the chance to build bridges between people, holding a first welcome to country before their season kicks off tomorrow.
The historic ceremony, acknowledging the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land where they play, will take place before the first match, on Waverley College's home ground of Queens Park.
"I think it's awesome!" says Tyzac Jordan, 17, the one Indigenous player who will be on the field, representing the college in its match against St Aloysius' College in the private schools' competition. "I'm very proud. I think it's going to be inspirational for us all."
His teammates are equally enthusiastic. "It'll be a great start to our season," Marco Bell, 16 says. "We've never done anything like this before. We'll be showing our respect to the traditional owners."
And their centre, Brooklyn Hardaker, also 16, is just as keen. "I reckon it's unreal," he says. "It's never been done before and it's great to be part of it."
As well as the captains of both teams being painted with ochre, there'll be a smoking ceremony and dancing by young Koori locals. Aboriginal elder, artist Tim Ella – brother of Australian rugby union greats Mark, Glen and Gary who also plan to attend – will present a specially carved plaque portraying the Botany Bay eel totem to the teams for display in Waverley's pavilion.
"Our family is right into rugby and we're really excited that the young people are doing something like this for our people," Ella says. "Sport has made a life for a lot of Aboriginal people, and to have these young players now showing us that respect, it's wonderful."
The match is the first of the season for the Committee of the Associated Schools of NSW (CAS), formed in 1929, and the welcome to country was the brainchild of Waverley College's director of co-curricular, Pat Brennan.
The Athletic Association of Great Public Schools of NSW, who also runs rugby competitions for its schools, does not currently include a welcome to country.
"Rugby has been played at Queens Park for over 100 years, and it's never been acknowledged how important the area was for Indigenous people," Brennan says.
"It's always been a very significant part of Sydney for Indigenous culture and we felt it would be good to recognise its resilience in this way. For all the players, it will feel a very symbolic occasion, and one we can all be proud of."
