MURRAY Bushrangers will be known as Dungala for its Round 12 Coates Talent League matches when it hosts Bendigo Pioneers in a boys and girls double-header at Rumbalara Recreation Reserve on Saturday, July 1.
The name change to Dungala, which is an Indigenous name for Murray, is an acknowledgement of the significant contribution of Indigenous players, families and volunteers to the local football community within the Murray Bushrangers region.
The name change will take place ahead of the commencement of NAIDOC Week, which will be celebrated from July 2-9.
In addition to the name change, the club will also wear a specially designed Indigenous guernsey for both games against Bendigo.
The guernsey was designed by Murray Bushrangers assistant coach and Rumbalara premiership player Levi Power.
Power, who also serves as the Dungala Talent Pathway coach, will lead the Murray Bushrangers’ boys team this week in the absence of head coach Mark Brown, who will be serving as an assistant for Victoria Country in its clash with Western Australia at the 2023 AFL National Championships – U18 Boys.
A Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement Ceremony will take place in between the boys and girls matches at Rumbalara Recreation Reserve. This will include a smoking ceremony conducted by the Dungala Talent Pathway squad.
The inaugural Dungala Talent Pathway program launched in May, with the program’s aim to identify and support talented Indigenous footballers by providing access to high level training, coaching, and competitive opportunities, as well as education and mentorship.
The program also aims to promote the participation and inclusion of Indigenous players from the Murray Bushrangers region, in the hope of inspiring the young talent to follow in the steps of AFL stars Jy Simpkin (North Melbourne) and Jarman Impey (Hawthorn), who both hail from the region.
