The Gold Coast SUNS are proud to share that Friday night’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round blockbuster against Yartapuulti, at Darwin’s TIO Stadium, will be broadcast in local traditional First Nations language Yolŋu Matha.
Thanks to support from Triple M, the AFL will once again extend its in-language broadcast offering to Yolŋu Radio to broadcast the Sir Doug Nicholls Round match, ensuring the game is accessible to more First Nations people.
The broadcasts will reach six major communities and 12 homelands across Northeast Arnhem Land, as well as audiences in Darwin and Palmerston, allowing listeners to hear the game in Yolŋu Matha. Fans can tune into Yolŋu Radio on 88.9FM and via the Official AFL App.
Gold Coast SUNS Indigenous Programs Lead and proud Yirrganydji; Kuku Yalanji man Jarrod Harbrow shared how the broadcast plays an important role in strengthening First Nations engagement with Australian Rules Football.
“Having traditional Aboriginal language spread through commentary, recording a live game of AFL football up here in the Top End is amazing,” Harbrow said.
“It’s able to reach so many different communities including where our players, Joel Jeffrey, Ben Long and Daniel Rioli have some connections too, and give those communities inspiration and a way to connect to football.
“It’s so good to be able to share culture throughout Sir Doug Nicholls Round whether it’s through music, artwork, dance and on our guernseys but to be able to share culture through commentary just adds that next level of connection.”
Proud Milingimbi woman and veteran broadcaster Sylvia Nulpinditj (surname pronounced Nool‑pun‑ditch) will call the Top End clash alongside William Gumbula (Goom‑ba‑la) in what is shaping up to be a history making game as the SUNS gun for ten straight wins at TIO.
“This project highlights that First Nations languages and cultures are still thriving and are an intrinsic part of many people’s everyday lives,” Yolŋu Radio & Creative Media co-djägamirr (manager) Will Porter said.
“Aussie Rules is beloved in Arnhem Land, and Yolŋu Radio is thrilled to continue its work connecting remote communities to a national sporting moment. Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrates First Nations excellence, which is exactly what people will hear when they tune into our broadcast.”
Across Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the SUNS will play with a match ball designed by Bayley Mifsud (Merindah-Gunya), a proud Peek and Kirrae Whurrong woman from Warrnambool and cousin of Djap Wurrung; Gunditjmara Peek Whurrong; Noongar SUN Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
The design pays tribute to Misfud’s family, community, and the spirit of football that unites all.
“It’s a massive achievement for Bayley, especially as a strong Indigenous woman from the Gunditjmara family. I’m so proud of her and the whole family will be behind her,” Ugle-Hagan shared.
“It’s pretty incredible that there’s another one of us who gets to go play with the football as well. I’m excited to be running out with the Gold Coast SUNS in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
“The ability to go out there and have fun and just enjoy the atmosphere and crowd with the local Indigenous communities in Darwin will be special.”
The SUNS take on Yartapuulti in the Darwin/Larrakia Guernsey at TIO Stadium in Round 10 before facing North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium next Saturday, 23 May in the club’s exclusive Indigenous Round Guernsey. Visit the SUNS shop to score the dedicated designs. https://shop.goldcoastfc.com.au/
