Reconciliation Round

Inclusion and Diversity

Reconciliation Round for Community and Premier clubs is back for the 2024/25 season!

As Australia’s national sport, cricket has an unrivalled ability to connect communities, to bring people together, to build understanding and to promote respect.

Cricket clubs are encouraged to acknowledge and pay respect to Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we play cricket this summer through Reconciliation Rounds.

Reconciliation Round is a way clubs, players and volunteers can reaffirm our collective commitment to reconciliation, and deepen meaningful connections with Country, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and communities. 

In doing so, we recognise the powerful and unique history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement in Australia’s favourite sport and celebrate the ongoing contributions of First Nations People across all aspects of our game.

Tips for reconciliation Round

Tips for reconciliation Round

Delivering an Acknowledgement or Welcome to Country

Having an Acknowledgement or Welcome To Country is a tangible way to show respect by upholding cultural protocols. An Acknowledgement of Country is a way for anyone to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.

A Welcome to Country is delivered by Traditional Owners of the land where it is held, welcoming visitors to their Country and offering safe passage. The Welcome to Country can take many forms including a speech, smoking ceremony, singing and/or dancing.

Resources

Support Local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Businesses

Use this round to support your local community by purchasing goods and services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. You can search for businesses here.

Commission a local artist to design artwork, playing kits and/or design stumps.

When connecting with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, it is important to allow time to foster the relationships and be respectful throughout the process.

You can contact Local Government Authorities, and/or your State Cricket Association to help connect with the community.

Conduct a Barefoot Ceremony

A Barefoot Circle is a cricket-centric way for players to take a moment prior to a series or match to connect with Country and pay respects to the Traditional Owners of the land they are playing on. It is performed barefoot to physically connect with the land.

Barefoot Circles can be adapted to align with the local customs and practices of the Traditional Owners of the land it is being performed.

During a Barefoot Circle, your club might like to:

  • invite a Traditional Owner to say some words
  • deliver an Acknowledgment of Country.

Learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture and History

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been living on the Australian continent and its adjacent islands for more than 65,000 years. Today, there are more than 250 distinct language groups spread throughout Australia, each with their own culture, customs, and laws.

Resources

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