THE Northern Tasmanian Football Association’s traditional Aboriginal round will take place this weekend, with two-time Brisbane premiership player Darryl White to line up for Rocherlea.
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White, 44, played 268 games for the Lions and Bears and was named in the Indigenous Team of the Century at full-back in 2005.
He will conduct a junior clinic at Rocherlea Oval on Friday with St Leonards and Invermay primary school pupils before the Tigers take on Deloraine in the round’s feature fixture on Saturday.
North Launceston 1995 premiership player Brett Mansell will be elevated to NTFA Aboriginal legend status for his significant contribution to Northern Tasmanian football.
The state under-16s coach is a former Northern Bombers mentor and senior coach of Tamar Cats, Longford and Rocherlea.
Rocherlea senior men and women teams and the umpires will wear Aboriginal-designed attire to commemorate the day, thanks to artist Danny Gardner.
A painting, Spirit of the Game (pictured), by Rodney Gardner will also be unveiled.
There will be four games on the day – under-18s, reserves and seniors – as well as a Tasmanian Women League North match between Rocherlea and Scottsdale.
NTFA president Paul Reynolds said the annual round was a great way to acknowledge the contribution Aboriginals have made to football.
“There have been pioneers that have paved the way when things weren’t as great. I remember reading a book involving Syd Jackson where the trainer wouldn’t even rub him,” Reynolds said.
“We have come a long way but this celebrates what they’ve achieved and acknowledges what their current contributions are.”
FAST FACTS
- WHAT: NTFA Aboriginal round – Rocherlea v Deloraine.
- WHEN: Saturday. Under-18s from 9.15am, reserves from 11.15am, women from 1.15pm and seniors from 2.30pm.
- WHERE: Rocherlea Oval.