Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan says he is proud of the Club’s commitment to reconciliation and First Nations people.
Speaking at the Club’s second Reconciliation Action Plan launch at VU Whitten Oval, the 21-year-old Gunditjmara, Balardong Noongar and Whadjuk Noongar man said he feels grateful to have such a platform.
“It’s pretty incredible how far we’ve come (since 2018) - even me coming up and speaking here now is a massive achievement already. I noticed that our Indigenous past players barely got to celebrate or talk about their community,” Ugle-Hagan said.
“I’m just grateful to be in this position – I know the old boys would’ve had it tough, so I feel pretty privileged and lucky to be able to get up here and speak in front of my peers and the staff members.
“There’s nothing better coming into a safe space where you’ve got your Indigenous boys and girls, and obviously staff members as well. It makes you feel like you’re at home.”
Ugle-Hagan was present at the launch of the Club’s first RAP, in 2018, prior to being drafted.
He said while he recognises his voice and has a responsibility to stand up, he does so knowing he has the support of his teammates.
“There’s always pressure, especially being a football player in general. To come in also as an Aboriginal First Nations boy, it is a tough gig,” he shared.
“It’s more copping it on the chin and just being proud. I always find it’s a lot easier when I’ve got the support of my own teammates.
“It is a lot of pressure, but at the end of the day I’ve got my voice and can speak loudly – but because of the boys and support of the team as well, I feel like it doesn’t always have to come from me.
“We’re pretty educated here as well – everyone’s still learning and wants to learn, which is a start.
“It’s great that I don’t have to speak all the time – we’ve got Arty, we’ve got the non-Indigenous players, we’ve got the multicultural boys – that’s a start, and then we go from there. It takes a lot of pressure off me because I feel like as we (are all educated more), it can only go up from here.
Bulldogs’ AFLW midfielder Kirsty Lamb added there is an immense sense of pride when wearing the Indigenous guernseys.
“I think the importance behind Indigenous Round, not only for our football club but for the football community as a whole – I probably speak on behalf of the boys as well, but it’s an honour and a privilege to wear the guernsey and tell the stories of them,” she said.
“They all have such unique stories behind them, and that’s part of the process – to understand different cultures and where the jumper is coming from and the story it tells.
“I think as W players, we feel very privileged.
“We’ve got a great Club that represents Indigenous players both male and female, and also the history of the Club as well.
“You wear the jumper with an enormous amount of pride. That’s something we try and do.”
The Bulldogs’ second RAP can be viewed here.
