QRL Indigenous round celebrates culture and heritage

The Queensland Rugby League will honour Indigenous heritage when the QRL Indigenous Round, presented by BMD, is played across the weekend of July 12-13.

Coinciding with NAIDOC Week, this week provides an opportunity for Queensland's premier rugby league competitions – the Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership – to acknowledge the profound contribution Indigenous Australians have made to our sport at all levels.

The majority of clubs across both competitions will wear specially designed Indigenous jerseys, creating a powerful visual celebration of culture and identity.

These unique designs represent each club's connection to Indigenous heritage while demonstrating the QRL’s commitment to recognising traditional custodians of the lands on which we play.

Welcome to Country ceremonies will precede fixtures at venues, ensuring proper cultural protocols are observed while providing education opportunities for players, officials, and spectators.

The Queensland Maroons also proudly display an Indigenous jersey, which has become an iconic symbol of cultural pride and sporting excellence at State of Origin level.

This grassroots celebration extends that recognition to the pathways where many future Maroons will develop their skills and cultural understanding.

BMD has embraced the cultural significance of the round by producing temporary tattoos featuring teams who have donned Indigenous jerseys.

These commemorative items are available to supporters, allowing them to show their respect for Indigenous culture while backing their teams.

Rugby league's Indigenous players have shaped the modern game through skill, athleticism, and cultural leadership from grassroots through to representative levels.

The Queensland Rugby League is deeply committed to fostering greater promotion and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our game, a commitment enshrined within the QRL’s Reconciliation Action Plan.

A powerful demonstration of this dedication is this weekend’s round, which serves as a vital platform to highlight significant social issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

More importantly, it provides an opportunity for the QRL to solidify its unwavering commitment to the Indigenous community and celebrate the unique and enduring relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and rugby league.

This year's Indigenous Round complements National Reconciliation Week, as Edward Monaei OAM, Chair of the QRL’s Indigenous Advisory Committee, explained.

“National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia,” Monaei  said.

“Aligned with the 2025 National Reconciliation Week theme, ‘Bridging Now to Next’, the QRL Indigenous Round acknowledges the continuous connection between past, present, and future, and underscores our ongoing journey towards reconciliation.”

“Through initiatives like the Indigenous Round, we can contribute meaningfully to building a more inclusive and equitable future for all.”