The Brisbane Broncos’ biggest stars and proud First Nations athletes have made special guest appearances overnight at the 2024 Broncos Indigenous Round launch.
Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam, Kotoni Staggs, Jordan Riki and injured skipper Adam Reynolds joined special guests at the Rooftop Terrace at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) at Southbank, after proudly speaking to media about this year’s Indigenous Jersey – ‘Ancestor’s Armour’.
A traditional smoking ceremony welcomed guests to the GOMA forecourt on arrival before special performances by the Tribal Welcome and the Wagga Torres Strait Islander Dance Groups kicked off the evening on the Terrace.
Hosted by Channel Nine’s Marlee Silva, a proud Gamilaroi and Dunghutti woman, the event celebrated the club’s close ties to First Nations people through its playing groups, 13-year partnership with Deadly Choices and the Beyond the Broncos Government-funded mentoring and empowerment programs.
Beyond the Broncos Alumni Cooper Ford, who graduated in 2018 and is now employed in the club’s Community Programs Department credited the school-based programs with giving her “the life she never thought she could have” and “breaking the cycle.”
Events like tonight and our game on Sunday provide us with a platform to tell these important stories and celebrate the important role they play,” said Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy.
“Every child needs mentors and role models to guide them across their formative years – people to look up to and aspire to be like.
