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Rocherlea Football Club creating positive pathways

17 October 2023
Culture and Capability
Kanaplila Dance Group and Rocherlea FC player Taylor Stone preparing for the Indigenous Round.
Graeme Gardner with Jiu-Jitsu world champion Shantelle Thompson and Alani Koa at Marquee Round.
Students and guests on a cultural walk at Cataract Gorge in Launceston, Tasmania.

Rocherlea Football Club’s Indigenous Round helps to raise awareness of Indigenous culture and promote the importance of social inclusion through sport.

Tasmanian Aboriginal community member, Graeme Gardner is the President of Rocherlea Football Club and has been involved in the club for 18 years. 

As part of the Indigenous Round, the club provides football clinics for First Nations students from Launceston and the surrounding region, including the Furneaux Islands.

Earlier this year, NIAA supported the Indigenous Round by providing the opportunity for First Nations students from truwana (Cape Barren Island, Tasmania), to travel off their beautiful remote island home to visit Launceston.

‘The students from Cape Barren got to see there is opportunity, so they can understand what’s available and can make informed choices,’ Graeme said

During this trip, students were able to gain valuable exposure to educational pathways and support, career opportunities, reconnect with family and watch the Indigenous Round.

The club also hosts the Marquee Football Round which is an important game that recognises the achievements and celebrates the contribution of Tasmanian Indigenous youth, women and men in football. 

‘For the Marquee game, everything has got a personal feel. It meant a lot to our people. The umpires wear specially designed tops, both teams wear Aboriginal designed jumpers,’ Graeme said.

This Marquee Round helps to raise awareness of Indigenous culture and promote the importance of social inclusion through sport. It brings together other sporting clubs, football organisations and school groups in the lead up to and on the day of the game. 

‘Having the Indigenous Round at Rocherlea means we can really showcase Aboriginal culture each year. It provides opportunities for dancers, performers and speakers’, Graeme said.

‘We’ve been able to include more of the cultural side now so we do the Welcome to Country, the practice of ochre and share Tasmanian history,’ Graeme said.

Through the Indigenous Round, Rocherlea Football Club also aims to raise awareness of Tasmanian Indigenous Culture, increase Indigenous leadership and encourage positive school outcomes.

The Rocherlea Football Club will continue to support the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community and connect them with opportunities where they can undertake further education and training leading to positive employment pathways.

Opportunities like this, provide Cape Barren Island students increased confidence and enthusiasm to explore and navigate higher education opportunities off the Island.

The Rocherlea Football Club creating positive pathways is funded the National Indigenous Australians Agency Local Investment Fund.