The Dyldam Parramatta Eels have this week unveiled the club’s first ever Indigenous jersey. Created by the 2015 National Naidoc Artist of the year, Daren Dunn, the jersey is designed to celebrate and pay respect to the traditional owners of Parramatta.
Not only do the Eels call Parramatta home, the Blue and Gold recognises that its history and success - including four premierships - have been shaped by the contributions of Indigenous Australians, and the club’s connection to Parramatta.
The jersey will be worn for the first time as the Eels face the South Sydney Rabbitohs at home, in Parramatta, in Round 10 of the 2016 NRL Telstra Premiership.
The Indigenous jersey is available in men's, women's and youth sizes and is exclusively available in the Eels Store. Click through to shop the Eels Indigenous jersey.
About the Eels Indigenous Jersey: From the artist, Daren Dunn
This jersey celebrates and pays respect to the traditional owners of Parramatta and their deep and rich ancient heritage. The area of Parramatta was known by the Darug people as Burramatta ("Burra" meaning eel and "matta" meaning creek).
The side panels of the jersey represent a welcome dance by the local Aboriginal people to celebrate and acknowledge the "Indigenous Round" with all the cultural groups of Australia with the Parramatta Eels, to celebrate our Cultures as one. It's called the "Shake A Leg" Dance.
The back of jersey represents significant ceremonial sites and meeting places within "Burramatta" especially those most sacred sites to the eastern side near Duck River, Homebush Bay and Parramatta Park.
The front of jersey celebrates and acknowledges the Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal women of today, the past and the future. We pay respect to our Women in our families and communities who lead and support us everyday.
The Eel: "Eel Dreaming" is an important part of our Aboriginal Culture in this region and
is our connection to our Aboriginal Ancestors who look over us and the land everyday. This is the Ancestral Spirit of the Parramatta jersey.
Daren Dunn
Gamilaroi People
"Burrabeedee"
