ROBINVALE INDIGENOUS ROUND: MEDIA RELEASE

Robinvale Football & Netball Club
PO Box 367 Robinvale VIC 3549 Phone (03) 5026 3278 Fax (03) 5026 1878
President- Gary Farnsworth     Secretary- Marion Leslie     Senior Coach- Troy Moncur
www.robinvalefc.vcfl.com.au

MEDIA RELEASE
29^th June, 2009

ROBINVALE INDIGENOUS ROUND

On Saturday 11 July, the Robinvale Football and Netball Club (RFNC) will host a focus game of football, the first of its kind in Victorian country footy, namely the “Indigenous Round” (Round 13).  With the theme “Robinvale – Together We Are One”, underpinning the spirit of the day. The match will be played at Riverside Park, Robinvale – the home of the Eagles.

BACKGROUND TO THE TOPIC/FOCUS:

• The Robinvale Eagles are part of the Sunraysia Football & Netball League (SFNL).  In 2008 the Club celebrated its 50 years.
• The “Indigenous Round”, is an initiative by Robinvale’s Senior Coach, Troy Moncur. 
• This initiative provides an opportunity for the RFNC and the local Indigenous community to come together and work towards not only improving relationships between themselves, but the community as a whole. The involvement required to develop the “Indigenous Round”, will harness and strengthen those relationships in an honest and genuine effort for the future.
• The “Indigenous Round”, provides an opportunity to celebrate the contribution that Indigenous players and the local Indigenous community have given to the RFNC, and it also highlights the role that Australian Football has played and continues to play in the lives of Indigenous people.
• The underlying focus of the “Indigenous Round” is to ensure that young Indigenous people see the RFNC as a real and genuine alternative to drugs, alcohol and crime. 
• Based on the 2006 census – the total population of Robinvale is just over 4000.  9.4% of Robinvale’s population is Indigenous compared to the national Indigenous population of only 2.3% and the Victorian Indigenous population being 0.6%.
• Based on the 2006 census - the number of young Indigenous people (10-19 years) in Robinvale is 28% of the total population of 4000 people.
• The 1991 Robinvale Premiership side included five Indigenous players David Handy, Harry Pettit, Willie Hannah, Lenny Williams, Jason Briggs and Harlen Pettit as mascot
• So far there has only been 2 Indigenous players who have played seniors this year - John Jackson (Assistant Coach) and 14 year old Isaiah Johnson.
• Sponsors for the day: RFNC, Miss Emily Aboriginal Art, Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative, Local identities Tony Natale and Charlie Camera who are working with a number of other individuals, and the Victorian Police Football Club

ABOUT THE TOPIC/FOCUS:

• The “Indigenous Round” (Round 13), will take place on Saturday 11^th July between Robinvale and Wentworth (another town with a high Indigenous population)
• This is also NAIDOC day (A day that is significant and celebrated nationally by Indigenous people)
• The senior players will play in a locally designed Guernsey by Aboriginal artist Barb Egan, Director “Miss Emily Aboriginal Arts”. Barb is the mother of ex Robinvale and former Indigenous VFL/AFL player Phil Egan. (Miss Emily Aboriginal Art sells an array of items including - paintings, silk scarf’s, silk handbags and pottery – for enquiries call Barb Egan on 0437 182 170)
• The senior player’s pre-match uniform polo shirt will also have the same design as the Guernsey’s.
• The Program for the “Family Fun” day will include the following:

ü  Prior to the start of the senior match, a “Smoking” ceremony will be performed by Bruce Baxtor and “Welcome to Country” by Barb Egan, followed by Aboriginal Dancers

ü  The coin toss to start the match will be thrown by high profile former VFL/AFL Indigenous player Phil Egan.

ü  Children’s rides  - plane chair lift, giant slide, pony rides

ü  Face painting

ü  Pro skate demonstrations

ü  Sprint races at half time

ü  Commemorative ‘Indigenous Round’ T-shirts for sale

ü  Free BBQ lunch

• The “Indigenous Round” will be an annual event, with the possibility for other Sunraysia teams to come on board next year.
• The “Indigenous Round”, has the ability to grow and build and go beyond just being a football match, it can be a catalyst for the whole community to benefit from.
• A perpetual trophy will be presented to the winning team

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

TROY MONCUR
SENIOR COACH
ROBINVALE FOOTBALL & NETBALL CLUB
0423 800 780
troymoncur@gmail.com

ENDS