The Canberra Raiders have today unveiled the Indigenous jersey which they will be wearing for Close the Gap Round.
The jersey was designed by Elenore Binge, a proud Indigenous Australian and an avid Raiders fan.
After high school, Elenore attended the Canberra School of Art from 1994-1996 where she was taught by Anita McIntyre, wife of current Club Patron John McIntyre.
It was through this connection that Elenore was able to showcase her designs for the Raiders Indigenous Jersey.
“I got in contact with Anita just before Christmas after I started up my business Aborignelle Designs and John and Anita loved my ideas for the Raiders Indigenous jersey,” Binge said. “I’ve been a Raiders fan since 1982 and I’m so grateful and proud that the club has taken a liking to my jersey design.”
Elenore’s jersey design incorporates several features which are synonymous with the ACT, the most prominent being the Bogong Moth and the ACT colours of blues, white and yellow.
“This jersey is a celebration of the Ngunnawal people and the Bogong Moth, which the actual Aboriginal name for is Urri Arra,” she said. “The Bogong Moth is unique to Canberra and very special to the area.”
“I really love the jersey,” Raiders star Jack Wighton said. “I think it’s a really good design and it’s great to see the club recognising the Aboriginal culture.
“I was lucky enough to meet Elenore after our trial in Tamworth and she’s a lovely lady who absolutely loves the Raiders.
“She’s done a great job with the jersey and it’s nice to see there’s a local feel about it with the Bogong Moth and the ACT colours featured in it. It’s wonderful that we’ll be showing our respects to the Ngunnawal people and I think that our fans will be stoked with how it looks.”
Fans are able to purchase the Indigenous jersey at Jersey’s Megastore, the Raiders Official retailer. http://www.jerseys.com.au/prod104.htm
The Indigenous jerseys will be worn in Close the Gap Round which is in Round 23 when the Raiders take on the St George Illawarra Dragons at GIO Stadium Canberra.
“Close the Gap Round is a wonderful thing that the NRL is doing in bringing two different cultures together through their love of the game,” Binge said. “It helps celebrate reconciliation, Aboriginal culture and assists in closing the gap between the health inequalities of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
“I can’t wait to see the boys run out onto GIO Stadium wearing the jerseys. It will be a very proud moment for me.”
“Close the Gap Round means a lot to me,” added Wighton. “I was lucky enough to be a part of the Indigenous All Stars two years ago and that was a great experience to be involved in and it will be another proud moment for me to run out in this jersey at home.”
