First Nations girls soccer team create history with help from Reflections North Haven

The Mid North Coast region of New South Wales will field a girls team for the first time at the First Nations Football Festival in Dubbo on October 9-10, with the squad designing the Aboriginal artwork displayed on their jerseys for the competition.

Reflections North Haven has sponsored the team, the Mitjigan’s, meaning Little Girls in Gathang, the language of the Birpai Nation, to help it meet its uniform costs.

Team coach and proud Birpai woman Kayla Clark said the nine players were cherry-picked for the team, with some competing for the first time at the Football Festival. [Editor’s note: The chosen spelling of the team name is Mitjigan’s, with an apostrophe].

In addition to competing at the Festival, the Mitjigan’s staged a fun soccer meet during the first week of the school holidays at Reflections North Haven, encouraging young guests to participate.

On Saturday, October 3, the team received their uniform kits at Reflections North Haven, with local Aboriginal Elder Uncle Bill performing the smoking ceremony and Uncle Ian Bell and Brice Hayward sharing culture with the girls through a traditional ochre paint-up.

“We’re proud to sponsor the Mitjigan’s at the Festival competition, and we’re also excited that they’ll visit our park in the holidays to have some fun with our young guests and share their culture,” Reflections North Haven Park Manager Craig Rumbelow said.

Minister for Lands, Sport and Tourism Steve Kamper wished the Mitjigan's success in Dubbo and congratulated everyone who had helped make the opportunity possible.

“It’s fantastic to see a Mid North Coast girls team heading to the First Nations Football Festival for the first time, giving these young players the chance to compete, represent their communities and celebrate their culture,” Mr Kamper said.

“Sport can open doors for young people, building confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging, and it’s great to see Reflections and the wider community getting behind the Mitjigan’s and helping make this opportunity possible.”

Mitjigan’s players hail from Birpai Country (the Mid North Coast), with many playing in Football North Coast representative squads, local clubs including the Camden Haven Redbacks and training or playing four days a week.

“The word ‘Mitjigan’ may mean ‘little’ but the girls’ dedication to the game and their talent is beyond their years,” said Ms Clark, whose daughter Jai’ahlie is in the team.

“We’ve developed this team especially for the Dubbo competition. Football North Coast nominated some of the players and throughout this season we’ve been watching some of them to see who we can pull in.”

One of the girls is aged nine and though the competition requires players to be aged 10, the organisers made an exception due to her “phenomenal” ability, Ms Clark added.

The team has been fundraising to assist the girls’ trip to Dubbo and Ms Clark said the Mitjan’s were grateful for the support of Reflections Holidays toward their uniform, which the girls designed during a creative workshop organised by Ms Clark, owner of small business KJC Aboriginal Artwork.

Reflections Holidays has a firm commitment to reconciliation and is delivering its second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) under the framework of Reconciliation Australia. Operating on 12 First Nations, Reflections is committed to sharing Aboriginal culture with its guests, including school holiday activities, bush tucker gardens and cultural walking trails.

Reflections had already formed a partnership with Ms Clark’s business, KJC Aboriginal Artwork, which created prizes in the Surf Reflections competition.

“Travelling to Dubbo for the tournament is a significant financial commitment for our families and we are seeking community support to help reduce the cost of participation and ensure every girl has the opportunity to attend,” Ms Clark said.

“By supporting our team, you are helping to promote positive outcomes for Aboriginal young people and contribute to closing the gap through sport, culture, and opportunity.”