The AFL is pleased to announce the launch of the NAB AFLW Season Seven Indigenous Round which will be celebrated across Round Three and Four. 

The AFLW Indigenous Round acknowledges the significant contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls to Australian football and the broader community. During Season Seven, the rounds’ theme is about celebrating our journey past, present and emerging​ through acknowledgment to the traditional custodians, trailblazers, history makers, and the powerful stories amongst communities today.

Today at the Art Gallery of South Australia, Executive General Manager Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch was joined by Nicole Livingstone, General Manager Women’s Football and Port Adelaide Players Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap and Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap and Adelaide Crows players Danielle Ponter, Eloise Jones and Stevie-Lee Thompson.

In addition, the AFL is proud to announce Aunty Pam Pederson as this year’s AFLW Indigenous Round Honouree in recognition of her contribution to her community and the football industry. Aunty Pam, a proud Yorta Yorta Elder is the youngest daughter of Aboriginal leaders Pastor Sir Douglas Nicholls and 2008 Victorian Honour Roll of Women inductee Lady Gladys Nicholls, Aunty Pam follows in her parents’ footsteps as an advocate for the rights of Aboriginal people.

Aunty Pam has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Tarwirri Elders and Respected Panel, Long Walk Board, Carlton Football Club Advisory Board on the Reconciliation Action Plan, the AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round organising committee and the Worawa Aboriginal College. She is an Honorary Elder of the Victorian National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC).

On the sporting fields, Aunty Pam represented Victoria at the World Masters Games in swimming, and began competing in half marathons, triathlons, open water swimming and yachting. In 2005, she was named NAIDOC National Sportsperson of the Year. Her proudest sporting moment was representing her people in the Opening Ceremony and baton relay for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

AFL Executive General Manager Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch said Aunty Pam's contribution to football has added to an already incredible family legacy for young people and future generations.

“Aunty Pam's achievements across sport and advocacy is remarkable. She has served on numerous committees and boards and provides valuable guidance and leadership. In particular, Aunty Pam has made a significant contribution to the lives of young people in the court system, offering counsel and sharing her own experience to promote cohesion in Aboriginal families and communities through her work with the Koori Court. We're truly proud to have Aunty Pam as this year's Honouree and we know that the football community will be pleased to see her recognition.

“This is the third season we've have had an official Indigenous Round for the women’s competition, which is a powerful platform in highlighting the importance of understanding inclusion and respect of Indigenous peoples and cultures, which will always be prominent in our game.

“The AFL is continuing its commitment to ensure all Indigenous communities have the same access and opportunities in our game – from the grassroots level, all the way through to our pathways to the elite competitions,” Ms Hosch said.

As part of the dedicated round the AFL will pay its respects to the Traditional Custodians of the land each match is played on, with ground signage at AFLW matches to feature the name of the Traditional Owners, and a representation of the Aboriginal Women’s art symbol on the outside of the centre circle.

All eighteen AFLW clubs will wear specially designed Indigenous Round guernseys across Round Three and Four.

In addition, the AFLW umpires will also wear uniforms designed by two students from Worawa Aboriginal College. The design is a collaboration of two separate pieces of artwork by current students Kyanna McIntosh and Kylinda Alice.

General Manager Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said the 2022 AFLW Season Seven Indigenous Round is a fantastic opportunity for fans to celebrate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the football community.

“We’re so proud to celebrate, acknowledge and honour the contribution from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women within our industry and to do it with a complete eighteen-teams competition is fantastic.

“We start off the round with a blockbuster match up between Fremantle Dockers and the Western Bulldogs followed by Round Four, which will also have the first ever AFLW Dreamtime match with Richmond and Essendon set to make history at ETU Stadium.

“Indigenous Round has become a highlight of the fixture following its inaugural year in 2021, and we can’t wait to join our fans in supporting Indigenous stars on the field this weekend,” said Ms. Livingstone.

Matches in the 2022 NAB AFLW Season Seven Competition will be broadcast live on the Seven Network, FOX FOOTY and Kayo.