The Gold Coast SUNS will proudly showcase Indigenous art from head to toe in its Sir Doug Nicholls Round fixture on Saturday afternoon.

Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrates and highlights the contributions of First Nations peoples to the game of football and to our country, through showcasing the moments, connections and stories that have shaped and strengthened our game.

In addition to donning this year’s exclusive Indigenous Guernsey designed by Kombumerri artist Lann Levinge, several SUNS including defender Mac Andrew and midfielder Lachie Gulbin are set to run out onto Marvel Stadium with boots specially designed by students from Northern Peninsula Area State (NPA) College in remote Bamaga, North Queensland.

Proud Yirrganydji; Kuku Yalanji man and Gold Coast SUNS Indigenous Programs Lead Jarrod Harbrow was delighted to connect with former StreetSmarts SUNS Academy talent and Ankamuthi; Wagadagam man Glendon Woosup to bring the project to life.

“I built a strong relationship with Glendon when he was on the Gold Coast and it’s great to see that he is now a leader in his community,” Harbrow shared.

“Giving back to school students and for him to be able to reconnect with the football club on such a cool initiative like this is exactly what these pathways and what long lasting relationships look like. I’m very proud of Glendon and what he’s doing.”

As a young child, Woosup would never have dreamed that a visit from the AFL’S latest expansion team and its emerging Star, Harbrow, would have the impact it did.

Across 2014 -2015, a young teen from Injinoo, Woosup left home to pursue his academic studies and football and ultimately found himself developing his football craft in the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy before representing Gold Coast in the NEAFL competition.

Today, Woosup resides back home in the north-western coast of Cape York Peninsula making a difference and connecting the next generation with sport as a Community Liaison Officer with Metro Mining.

“One of the things the AFL and the Gold Coast SUNS do so well is promoting and engaging with Indigenous communities,” the proud Ankamuthi; Wagadagam man said.

“Sport is a big pillar in our community and from sport good things tend to happen. It provides students an incentive to engage along with avenues and opportunities.

“The SUNS have had a relationship with the region since their inception in the league and Jarrod Harbrow was one of the players who visited multiple times and (helped) build a full footprint up here.”

 Tasked with the connecting the community with meaningful initiatives, Woosup reached out to his former mentor at the Gold Coast SUNS and soon over a dozen pairs of football boots were shipped almost 3000 kilometers north to remote Indigenous community, Bamaga.

“The biggest factor was giving students the opportunity to be a part of something special, something they can remember and build on,” Woosup shared.

“I often say ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ so when students see the players wearing their artwork on the boots it reminds them that just because they’re from a remote community it doesn’t mean that they aren’t able to grow - there are limitless opportunities.

“[Through my time with the Gold Coast SUNS and in the Academy] I’ve been able to expand my thinking and outlook on life, and for these students this (collaboration) enables them to see something bigger to strive towards. It has the potential to have a profound and positive impact in their life and that’s special part.”

As the club’s Indigenous Programs Lead, Harbrow shared how important it is for AFL Clubs and other elite sporting programs to share and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

“We want everybody to be proud of our Indigenous cultures in Australia and there are so many ways to share culture,” Harbrow added.

“AFL Players have such a strong platform to reach remote Indigenous communities and connect through culture and sports and build relationships that will last a lifetime.

“The best part is seeing the players’ reactions once they receive their boots and see their design for the first time. What’s even more important is the understanding from players about the cultural connection that each student shares through their individual representations of their communities, families, totems.”

Check out all the Sir Doug Nicholls Round action on the AFL app or on AFL.com.au.

SUNS fans can score the 2026 Indigenous range from the SUNS Shop. https://shop.goldcoastfc.com.au/2026-indigenous/