Adelaide AFLW Captain Chelsea Randall is passionate about Indigenous culture and continuing to learn about the rich heritage of Australia’s First Peoples.
This year, Randall decided to go that extra mile to celebrate AFLW Indigenous Round.
Together with teammates Danielle Ponter and Stevie-Lee Thompson, Randall approached two young Indigenous artists to hand-paint their boots.
The trio enlisted sisters and Narungga women Kira and Codi Buckskin with the design and each of the three boots were carefully painted with different patterns.
Kira and Codi also thought of a special name for the boots, representing each individual player.
Randall’s are called Bunari which means highly skilled/leader/boss, Ponter’s are Guruu Bidhigidja which means shy but she shines and Thompsons are Widhi - quick/fast.
The skipper said she was impressed with the design and honoured to have the boots.
“Jeremy Johncock (Adelaide’s Indigenous Programs Coordinator) recommended the girls to me,” Randall said.
“Kira and Codi are two of the most impressive young women I’ve ever met and I feel so honoured and humbled to be wearing the boots designed by two Narungga women.
“It’s really important for non-Indigenous people to stand side-by-side with their Indigenous brothers and sisters and show them we are continuing to learn and educate ourselves about their beautiful culture.”
Ponter wore hers during the AFLW’s official Indigenous Round against Fremantle in Perth but she and Thompson will don them again to celebrate in front of a home crowd against Collingwood at Norwood Oval on Sunday.
Ponter, a proud Anmatyerre and Maranunggu woman, said wearing the specially-designed shoes went a long way to helping shine a light on the talented artists.
“They’re beautiful boots,” Ponter said.
“I’m so thankful I get to represent my people with not only the jumper but also a pair of boots as well.
“I played a strong game against Fremantle and I think it was the boots, so I’m going to hold onto them for as long as I can.”
Thompson described her design as “amazing” and said she was “so excited to wear them” against Collingwood.
“With Danielle Ponter living with me, having these boots designed is a proud moment for me, that’s for sure,” Thompson said.
Kira, 18, is a graduate of the Adelaide Football Club and SEDA College’s Sports Development Program, which provides students in Years 11 and 12 an opportunity to complete their SACE studies within sport and community settings.
Codi, 17, is currently in Year 12 at SEDA College.
The pair have also established a business called Ngadli Art, whereby they are commissioned to create Indigenous art pieces.
Speaking to AFC Media, Kira said the Crows and SEDA College program helped give them the confidence to establish the business.
She is proud to have designed the three players’ boots and is looking forward to seeing them be worn this weekend.
“I was a bit starstruck when they asked us to design the boots but we were really excited,” Kira said.
“We wanted to try and tell their stories through the boots, so thought of symbols to help bring it to life on the shoes.
“Indigenous Round is an opportunity to share our culture with everyone and celebrate our amazon culture.”
Codi agreed.
“Each of the boots have a name to represent the player which is really special,” Codi said.
“To see another proud Indigenous woman in Danielle wear them last weekend was so special and seeing her kick two goals in them was amazing.”
Adelaide will celebrate Indigenous culture against Collingwood in Round Nine in front of fans at Norwood Oval on Sunday, March 6, with the first bounce at 2.40pm.
The match, which is proudly sponsored by BHP, will include activities for families, as well as a special pre-match performance by Kuma Karru.
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