Reigning AFL premiers Melbourne hope the historic temporary rebranding of the club to Narrm will prompt a wider discussion about Indigenous issues.
Key points:
- The Demons will go by Narrm in all Indigenous AFL and AFLW rounds going forward
- Indigenous player Steven May says the move is “really special” and will “start conversations”
- In the rebranding for the rounds, the Demons consulted with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
The Demons will switch to the Aboriginal name for the city of Melbourne during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round later this month.
Demons leaders have hailed the change as significant, with club to continue going by Narrm for all Indigenous rounds in the AFL and AFLW beyond this year.
Indigenous Demons great Aaron Davey travelled from Cairns to host the launch on Monday.
Premiership star Steven May, an Indigenous man from Darwin, proudly showed off the Demons’ new jumper.
“It’s something I never really thought was going to happen,” the defender said when asked what it meant for the club to be rebranded as Narrm.
“Extremely proud, but just to be recognised during those two rounds is always special for our friends and family back home.
“We get to wear an Indigenous guernsey and now to be called an Indigenous name like Narrm I think is really special.
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“There will be little kids here watching us play, asking their parents what the name means and that will start conversations.
“The flow-on effect from that is huge, and the only way we can do better is through education, teaching and raising awareness. So I think this is another step along the way to fast-track that.”
Narrm will first feature in round 10 at Docklands Stadium when the Demons are away to North Melbourne, before hosting Fremantle at the MCG the following week.
The Demons consulted with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation in rebranding the club, including about the most appropriate way to spell Narrm.
“For me, it’s always been spelled Narrm so I think that’s a worthy point to make,” Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy said.
Artist Ky-ya Nicholson Ward was honoured the club had chosen her to design its newest jumper.
“A lot of people don’t know the country that they live on all over Australia, so I think it’s an amazing opportunity,” she said.
AAP
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
