2025 Indigenous Jumper Launched

The East Perth Football Club are proud to unveil the club’s latest Indigenous Jumper, which will be worn by both our men’s and women’s programs this year. The jumper was designed by former player Joe Sara, who has strong connections to East Perth’s indigenous history.

Joe played 70 League games for the Royals between 1995 and 2000. His daughter Elly currently plays for the WAFLW side. Over the past week, he’s visited our men’s and women’s training, as well as the Colts and Rogers Cup sessions, to tell the story of his jumper and the meaning behind the artwork.

“Kya Wandju (Hello and Welcome),

I am truly grateful to be asked to design this year’s Indigenous jumper. As a past player it makes me extremely proud and even more proud that my daughter Elly is representing the Royals in the WAFLW.

Both my grandparents were members of the Stolen Generation and forcibly removed from their family at a young age. My Pop Banjima was taken from the Pilbara and my Nan Ballardong /Wadgak was taken from Northam; they ended up at Sister Kate’s orphanage. They both shared their childhoods with the likes of Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer, Ted ‘Square’ Kilmurray, and Jack Hunt (my pop’s best mate ). There was no option in following any other team. East Perth have a rich history, with great and passionate supporters. Over the years they’ve had a number of fantastic in Indigenous players. This has given me the inspiration for the design.

The front of the jumper has the Wargyl Serpent (the dots) winding through the stars, then onto the land, creating the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River). This represents the club creating success both on and off the field. 
The top of the jumper (in the Black V) has four boomerangs and four spears that carry the motto ‘Hunt as One’. ‘As One’ meaning not individually but hunting together and enjoying success both men’s and women’s teams as a collective.
There are four Message Sticks crossing through diagonally. These represent our collective message to send to oppo
sition teams – East Perth is a team to fear.
On the front is a Meeting Place symbol with a series of dots making their way to it. This represents the East Perth Family, including members and supporters, coming together to enjoy our culture created at the Royals. 

The back of the jumper represents our men’s and women’s teams with blue and pink dots. This is a journey through our season, sharing the ups and downs as one group. The dots are close together and follow a pathway of unity.
There are 24 white stars across the top. This is for the recent passing of club legend Ted ‘Square’ Kilmurray. Square wore number 24 at the Royals and has a list of achievements too great to note down. Square was not only one of the greatest footballers to don the blue and black, he was also a beautiful human.”

The jumpers will first be worn this weekend, to tie in with the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round. they will then be worn for the WAFL’s NAIDOC Round, as well as when we take on West Perth for the Polly Farmer Shield.

If you like the look of these jumpers, you can preorder them with the club. Contact us on royals@eastperthfc.com.au or (08) 9443 2259 to secure your jumper. Keep an eye out for limited edition jumper merch too!