Brumbies reveal 2025 first nations jersey to be worn this weekend

The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have today launched the club's new Indigenous jersey, which will be on display this weekend for our Round 3 Smartech Super Rugby Pacific fixture against the Chiefs.
 
The jersey has been designed by 12-year-old Wiradjuri boy, Noah Fleming, with the blue version also being used by Brumbies as their warm-up jersey this season. Noah lives in Canberra and was given the opportunity to design the artwork through his connection with the Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation.
 
Indigenous Brumbies scrum half Harrison Goddard is excited at the prospect of pulling on the shirt for the first time this weekend in Waikato.
 
“It’ll mean a lot to run out in this jersey this weekend. Both my mum and dad are indigenous, I’ve learnt a lot about who I am as a person and about my grandparents on both sides. I appreciate the Brumbies doing this and celebrating our culture with the team,” Goddard said.
 
“Where I am right now with my career, where I can learn more about my culture, I didn’t know too much about it when I was younger. For me to run out in my dream job, representing my mob and the region here in Canberra is special. As long as we can continue to push the word out on rugby into communities and invite boys and girls into playing rugby, that’s a key goal for the Brumbies and myself.”

12-year-old jersey designer Noah said: “When I first saw the jersey I thought it was a dream. Realising my painting was being used was an amazing feeling, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.”

In terms of the jersey design, the higher circle on the front includes totems representing the five indigenous nations in Brumbies territory – Ngunnawal, Yuin, Ngarigo, Gundungurra and Wiradjuri. The middle of this circle shows a meeting place and represents the nations meeting within and between themselves to play rugby. The lower circle is an indigenous symbol of family and is included to represent the wide Brumbies family such as players, staff, fans and sponsors.
 
The artwork on the back pays tribute to all the Brumbies past and present male indigenous players by depicting totems from their nations. Also included is the bogong moth totem of the Ngunnawal people whose land includes the Brumbies’ Canberra base. The players represented are:
 

The footsteps shown on the back represent 15 players (a rugby team) playing on indigenous land. They are inspired by the Welcome to Country by proud Ngunnawal woman and Yerrabi Yurwang Chairperson, Selina Walker, which says ‘you are now welcome to leave your footprints on our land’. The meeting place in the top circle on the front also includes representation of the eight substitute players coming off the bench.
 
We are also proud to include both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.
 
The Brumbies are extremely grateful to Noah Fleming for producing these designs and the staff of the Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation for their wonderful support and assistance. All have contributed in such a meaningful way to the Brumbies’ recognition of our First Nations peoples.