24 June 2023
What a success. The numbers grow and the community shines.
Images courtesy of Leigh Gazzard. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAK12N
Indigenous Round - Saturday 24 June 2023
Following on from our proud history as the first AFL Sydney club to play in an indigenous designed jumper, we are excited to announce that the Balmain Tigers Australian Rules Football Club will be again hosting the upcoming Pemulwuy Shield AFL Indigenous Round. This round acknowledges the significant contribution that Indigenous players have made to our great code and named in honour of Pemulwuy, a brave Aboriginal warrior and leader who fought against the British colonial forces in the late 18th century.
This year is particularly significant as the nation goes to a referendum on recognition of Indigenous people in our nation's constitution and to establish a Voice to Parliament. As a club that values diversity and inclusivity, we believe that hosting in this event is vital to promote awareness and respect for Indigenous culture and people.
This year, we are proud to partner with the talented artist and designer, Peta-Joy Williams, to create a unique playing jumper for the Pemulwuy AFL Indigenous Round. The jumper design features traditional Indigenous artwork and symbols, which reflect the rich history and culture of the Indigenous community.
For major sponsors, we are delighted to offer this uniquely designed framed playing jumper, signed by the team, as a token of our appreciation. This is a unique opportunity to own a piece of history and show your support for Indigenous culture and people. In addition you will also have a range of benefits, including prominent branding on our team jumper, social media promotion, and on-site promotional opportunities during our home game.
We understand that your organisation shares our values and commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Partnering with us for the Pemulwuy AFL Indigenous Round will be a meaningful way to demonstrate that commitment to our community and to honour the legacy of Pemulwuy and his fight for Indigenous rights.
Thank you for considering this opportunity. We look forward to discussing this with you and exploring how we can work together to make the Pemulwuy AFL Indigenous Round a success.
Sponsorship Packages
Major Sponsors : $2,500 - SOLD OUT
Framed and signed Peta-Joy Williams player jumper
Prominent branding on all indigenous playing jumpers
Special social media posts
Acknowledgement on website regarding event
Game day promotional opportunities
Sponsor nominated (Masters >32 yo) player
Elite Sponsors : $1,000 - SOLD OUT
Special social media posts
Acknowledgement on website regarding event
Game day promotional opportunities
Purchase here and we’ll contact you.
Supporter Sponsors- SOLD OUT
Nominate your own sponsorship amount (suggested value $500 however all amounts are welcome)
Acknowledgement on website regarding event
Pride in supporting this important issue
Purchase here and we’ll contact you.
Pemulwuy - who was he?
Pemulwuy - who was he?
National Museum of Australia article:
2023 - Letter from Daniel Bourke
Each year the Balmain Australian Football Club celebrates the First Nations Warrior, Pemulwuy. As a Bidjigal Man of the Eora Nation it's likely that Pemulwuy and his family thrived in the area around the Inner West of Sydney prior to colonisation, and later led the same family in battle to protect their Country from the invasion of the British Government. Celebrating this man is important as white people so we can learn and understand more about life on Country prior to colonisation and the robust defence mounted by First Nations People that was eventually rendered insufficient in the face of British disease and brutality. Balmain is immensely proud to honour a truthful representation of this history, understanding that an honest past enlightens a hopeful future.
The game of Australian Rules Football owes its formation to Marn Grook. First Nations oral history tells us competitions were held amongst neighbouring tribes for thousands of years. It is anathema to Balmain to hold its place in the community without offering great respect to these two founding institutions.
In 2023 our community and the nation as a whole, will be afforded the opportunity to vote YES to the referendum that will enshrine a First Nations Voice to Parliament in the constitution. During the Pemulwuy shield game of 2018, we proudly hosted Thomas Mayo, Teela Reid and the Uluru Statement From The Heart in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of honouring the three pillars of this generous gift: Voice, Treaty, Truth. Balmain was one of the first community groups to loudly promote the Statement and follow one of the most important aspects: walk with First Nations People in a movement of the Australian People for a better future. Now that the Referendum is upon us, it is crucial that community groups maintain the momentum and campaign loudly for a positive outcome. As a predominantly white society, following in the footsteps of these mighty First Nations Leaders, both past, Doug Nicholls, Trugganini, Pemulwuy, Charlie Perkins, Archie Roach, Dr Yunupingu, Oodgeroo Noonucal and present, Megan Davis, Teela Reid, Pat Anderson, Thomas Mayo, Dean Parkin, Rachel Perkins, Emma Donovan presents us with the most significant opportunity to unite the nation and drive better outcomes for First Nations People, the oldest continuous culture on Earth.
28 May 2022
A welcome return after a hiatus in 2021 due to the pandemic.
Article courtesy of the Daily Telegraph.
Image courtesy of Phil Hillyard.
25 May 2019 - War Cry
This jersey continues the magnificent relationship between the club and Wiradjuri artist Peta-Joy Williams The Wiradjuri Wave
The title of this year's work is War Cry. Peta-Joy explained the key elements of the artwork. "War Cry represents warriors coming together in combat, fighting for the Pemulwuy Shield, with the centerpiece of the design being a shield in of itself and the bordering 'spatter' representing war."
2 Jun 2018 - Voice, Treaty, Truth
27 May 2017 - Uluru, Statement from the Heart
Recognition and a push for the Statement from the Heart. Balmain became the first Sydney AFL club to show its support for Indigenous culture, the lands on which we exist, and the pursuit of voice, treaty, truth.
Our advocate, Daniel Bourke, was instrumental with this establishment.
Pemulwuy Shield
The Pemulwuy shield
and all of our guernseys
are proudly designed by
Peta-Joy Williams.