THE CARLTON Football Club is delighted to announce that its 2021 AFLW Indigenous guernsey auction has raised $4,417.98, with the proceeds to be split evenly between the Healing Foundation and Carlton’s Indigenous programs. 

The Club’s first-ever AFLW Indigenous guernsey, which was worn by the Game Changers against North Melbourne in the competition’s inaugural AFLW Indigenous Round, was designed by 18-year-old Indigenous artist Ky-ya Nicholson-Ward. 

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Behind the design | 2021 Carlton AFLW Indigenous guernsey

Designer Ky-ya Nicholson-Ward talks about the meaning behind Carlton's inaugural AFLW Indigenous guernsey.

A proud Wurundjeni, Dja Dja Wurrung and Nguarai Illam-Wurrung woman, who also has German and Irish heritage, Nicholson-Ward’s design intertwined Indigenous heritage, female empowerment and the journeys of our Game Changers.

The Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners with communities all over Australia to address ongoing trauma caused by actions such as the forced removal of children from their family and their community. 

The proceeds given to the foundation will help generate new research to produce evidence, which then in turn will be used to help with designing the best practice strategies by building effective policies and frameworks. 

Proceeds towards Carlton’s Indigenous programs will support the Club’s Reconciliation Action Plan and will also be used for future programs aimed at making a real difference. 

Carlton CEO Cain Liddle said the Club was honoured to be part of the Inaugural AFLW Indigenous Round and was privileged to now contribute to two deserving causes.  

“Our AFLW team was extremely proud to pull on our first-ever women’s Indigenous guernsey, which provided an opportunity for our entire Carlton family to celebrate Indigenous heritage and culture,” Liddle said. 

“Our club is now equally as proud to see it positively impact the community with these proceeds being shared among the Healing Foundation and our own Indigenous programs. 

“The Healing Foundation works tirelessly to build programs that help build stronger leadership within communities across the country, and we hope this donation really does make a difference.”