The Journey behind the Sharks NAIDOC Guernsey with Reuben McGuire

NAIDOC Round has always held a special place in the heart of East Fremantle footballer and artist Reuben McGuire.

The 21-year-old designed our EFFC NAIDOC guernsey with his cousin Barry McGuire, a traditional Aboriginal artist, to tell the tales of the blue shark and its journey along the coast of WA.

East Fremantle players will proudly wear the McGuire-designed NAIDOC guernsey when we play Subiaco in the WAFL NAIDOC Round this Saturday,  9th July at Leederville Oval.

McGuire said each element carefully selected for the Shark’s commemorative jersey celebrated the club’s proud links to Indigenous culture and players. “The main element of the guernsey is the Waarnang-ba, the blue shark which was known to roam up and down the coasts of WA and enter areas which are home to the Yamatji people, as well as the Nyoongar people in the south,” McGuire said.

“It was important for me to combine land and water concepts to the overall design as it signifies survival, another important attribute of the club.”

The sketch from a photo of a shark underwater, with natural sunlight rays hitting against the top of the water and across the shark’s body.

Waves surrounding the shark symbolise ‘Father Ocean’ to Nyoongar tribes. Flowing white lines represent storylines and the Swan River that intertwines through different lands.

“Keeping the shark front and centre in the design was important as its meaningful to Nyoongar people and the club,” McGuire said.

“I used the sun rays in my sketch to symbolise traditional markings on Nyoongar men to communicate ancient culture of strength and resilience, which I believe reflects the culture of our club.”

The subtle red glow around the shark represents ‘Wilgi’ which has become the well-known Perth suburb “Willagee” situated on a mound of red ochre.

“Red ochre is sacred, connecting people to their culture – the past, present and future,” Rueben said.

McGuire said NAIDOC Week was a special occasion for him and his family - a time to showcase, educate and inspire cultural practices.

“It allows people to learn new things about Aboriginal culture they may not have known before. I feel extremely humbled to celebrate and tell the story of my culture through my design,” he said.

“It makes me immensely proud to be a Nyoongar man and tell the stories of my culture through my love for football.”

EFFC is passionate about creating and developing strong ties and ongoing commitments to not only the Noongar community but Yamatji and the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander communities around Australia.

Thank you to WAFL sponsor Rio Tinto for their support.

See you at the game!