The Gold Coast SUNS will this week join the wider AFLW community in celebrating one of the marquee rounds on the calendar over the next fortnight.
Rounds 9 and 10 marks the 2024 AFLW Indigenous Rounds – a fortnight dedicated to celebrating the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls to Australian football and the broader community.
Proud Bagala woman and SUNS forward Ashanti Bush says Indigenous Round is an opportunity to showcase her people whilst continuing to develop the understanding of cultures across Australia.
“Indigenous Round means so much more than just playing. It’s me putting on a show for those kids back in the community,” Bush said.
“And it’s me showcasing my people and doing what every other kid wants to do.”
“Indigenous Round brings in a lot of knowledge and spirit too. Knowledge of other cultures all over Australia and the spirit within the players, supporters, staff and our fans and members too. We are people who simply love the game as much as we love to show off and share our cultures with our brothers and sisters on the field.”
The theme for the 2024 Indigenous Round in Spirit Strong, Game On – recognising the resilience and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and honouring their traditions, enduing spirit, and ongoing legacy to Aussie Rules.
Bush, who is now in her fourth season on the SUNS list, says the fortnight of celebrations provides an opportunity to reflect on the influences who drew here towards our great game.
Most notably, it was the impacts of her grandfather and elder sister Tedisha that paved the path for the 22-year-old to reach the heights of the AFLW.
“My grandfather was a very supportive, older man during all my footy career. He was there sticking through thick and thin. In Darwin, he watched me play a lot. I really wanted him to come down for a game to watch me play but the chance didn’t come,” Bush said.
“Me and my sister Tedisha have a love-hate relationship, but I looked up to her. She was something special to me. Seeing her play footy face Wanderers back in Darwin made me think, hey maybe I could do that too.
“Going through school, and boarding at the same school in Darwin, watching her play footy…it inspired me to play footy.
For the first time in 2024, the SUNS will wear a unified Indigenous design for both its AFL and AFLW programs, designed by Yugambeh and Bundjalung artists Christine Slabb and Kyle Slabb.
The design, as seen during the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round earlier in 2024, is inspired by Garrara, the language name of a long lagoon that ran south to north along what is today known as the Gold Coast.
Represented by the feather motifs are Bilin-Bilin (rainbow lorikeet), Dun-Dun (swamp pheasant) and Mibin (eagle).
The SUNS AFLW squad will wear the guernsey for the first time in 2024 in Saturday’s home match against Yartapuulti at People First Stadium, as well as in Round 10 against North Melbourne.
The 2024 season also marks the first time an AFLW match will be played for premiership points in Darwin with Richmond and Essendon facing off on Saturday night at TIO Stadium.
Such an event is one Bush would be thrilled to be part of in years to come.
“The opportunity to one day play an AFLW game in Darwin would be incredibly special to me. The boys have had the opportunity to play in front of their family and friends, and I would love to have that chance too.”
