West Coast will don its Indigenous guernsey during the club’s Sunday afternoon clash to acknowledge NAIDOC Week.

The annual week-long celebration taking place Sunday 3 July to Sunday 10 July is a great opportunity for all Australians to support and amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Through partnership with the Waalitj Foundation’s mentoring programs, students from Clontarf Aboriginal College painted football boots which will be worn by players including Willie Rioli and Jamaine Jones.

Rioli said he enjoyed spending time with students at the mentoring sessions.

“This has been an exciting project to be a part of. It has allowed us to really connect with the students by sharing our stories and family connections, which is a big part of who I am.

I think it’s really important that the young students stay connected to their culture, particularly when they are spending time away from their traditional country,” said Rioli.

Off the field the club has a proud history of celebrating Aboriginal culture and will endeavour to carry on this year’s theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’ each day.