BDCA 2023: Marist-Leschenault final result put to one side as real winner is commitment to Indigenous culture

Every now and then in sport, there is a poignant moment which transcends the overall result of the game. This happened on Saturday at Forrest Park, when Marist entertained unbeaten league leaders Leschenault. The Green Caps might have won by eight wickets after chasing down 92 inside 16 overs — but this paled into insignificance, given the powerful display of unity prior to the clash. Aside from Marist players donning special Indigenous playing shirts designed by club diehard Brandon Yarran, both the Blues and Green Caps took part in a barefoot circle ceremony pre-game, which was presided over by revered elder Les Wallam. Players, officials, parents and children quietly stood in a circle together, as Wallam spoke about the importance of enhancing awareness of Indigenous culture, history and issues. “This year’s NAIDOC theme is about our elders,” he said. “There have been many themes over the years, but this one is particularly focused on acknowledging our elders — of which there are a lot of stories about throughout the years. “So what I would like to do is invite each and every one of you — we all have access to computers these days — is to look up NAIDOC week and Aboriginal people of the South West and across Australia. “And you will learn more about the true history of Australia. “It is not about creating division or pointing fingers — it is about understanding, knowing the true history, understanding what it is all about and that will help all of us move forward.” In a statement to club supporters leading up to the game, Yarran outlined the story behind his shirt design. “Players and supporters of Marist would agree, that Marist is more than just a club, it’s a family,” he said. “This is the main theme for this year’s first-ever Indigenous round designed shirts. “The circle in the middle represents our Marist family. Leading into the circle are six lines, which represent our senior grades coming together and forming one in the centre. “As most weekends go playing cricket, we are all often playing in different places, in different grades on different days. “But, we all are one club and one family when we come together.”