The Brisbane Broncos’ greatest stars and proud First Nations athletes have made special guest appearances overnight at the 2024 Broncos Indigenous Round launch.
Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam, Kotoni Staggs, Jordan Riki and injured skipper Adam Reynolds joined special guests at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) at Southbank, after proudly speaking to media about this year’s Indigenous Jersey – ‘Ancestor’s Armour’.
A traditional smoking ceremony welcomed guests to the GOMA forecourt on arrival before special performances by the Tribal Welcome and the Wagga Torres Strait Islander Dance Groups kicked off the evening on the Terrace.
Hosted by Channel Nine’s Marlee Silva, a proud Gamilaroi and Dunghutti woman, the event celebrated the club’s close ties to First Nations people through its playing groups, 13-year partnership with Deadly Choices and the Beyond the Broncos Government-funded mentoring and empowerment programs.
Beyond the Broncos Alumni Cooper Ford, who graduated in 2018 and is now employed in the club’s Community Programs Department credited the school-based programs with giving her “the life she never thought she could have” and “breaking the cycle.”
“Events like tonight and our game on Sunday provide us with a platform to tell these important stories and celebrate the important role they play,” said Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy.
“Every child needs mentors and role models to guide them across their formative years – people to look up to and aspire to be like.
“It’s so great tonight to have so many of our First Nations athletes here with us tonight.
“We love watching our young men and women play the game they love and this Sunday, they’ll look even more striking in our latest Indigenous jersey.”
Quandamooka artist and 2024 ‘Ancestor’s Armour’ Indigenous Round jersey designer Delvene Cockatoo-Collins and her family were also in attendance, along with Deputy Premier Cameron Dick.
The Broncos launched this year’s jersey over the weekend, with the players’ boots also on display, painted again by students from Beyond the Broncos.
The Broncos take on the Titans at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.
Gift exchanges will again take place before kick-off with a history-making addition to the tradition, being kept under wraps until gameday.
It comes as the Broncos also prepare to launch the club’s 4th Reconciliation Action Plan in the coming weeks.
