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We know everyone is excited to get started in the Inner East Girls Cricket Competition on November 18^th-22^nd,  as we all are too.

We thought this would be a brilliant way to start off our season with an acknowledgment of country and a barefoot circle as our token for reconciliation round in 2020, slightly later than NAIDOC week but still worth doing.

Please see the video below to see what the WBBL clubs did to start off their season(hopefully all the girls saw this on television or on socials) which explains well what cricket is trying to do for our Indigenous people and connection to country and hopefully we will have many clubs who would like to emulate this as a tradition moving forward: https://www.cricket.com.au/video/wbbl-womens-big-bash-league-barefoot-circle-walkabout-wickets/2020-10-25

It is a very simple ceremony and very easy for the kids to do and only takes a few minutes but as you can see from the video is very meaningful.

Please also find below some information to assist you with this simple, but very impactful opportunity.

From Emma Staples our Head of Participation, Community Development & Diversity

Below is a detailed version of the significance of the barefoot circle but in short

• It’s about connection to country
• From a uniquely cricket sense it was born out of the notion that in Australia the first time someone holds a cricket bat they are likely a little toddler running around barefoot in the backyard, on the beach or in the bush. Connecting to Country the first time they are connecting to cricket.

Definition: The barefoot circle is a cricket centric way for players and teams to take a moment prior to matches to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, connect to each other as opponents and pay respect to the country (land). This is done barefoot as a way to connect to country, but also a moment to reflect that we are all common ground, we are all human beings and we need to stand strong with each other, for each other. The circle is often part of pre-series activities and has started in Reconciliation round (feb 2020) as a stance of anti-racism, commitment to reconciliation and strength together

You might also find the below useful to have one or two children read out to the two teams whilst standing in the circle:

Player Statement

Today we stand on the lands of the XXXX people, the Traditional Owners of the Country where we are situated.  We want to acknowledge and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging. We gather here as sisters of this country to acknowledge and pay respect to the original sovereigns of Australia, to honour the legacy of the 1868 Aboriginal Cricket team and to stand strong against racism. As leaders of our teams we stand together in a circle today to symbolise strength and connection to each other and to country. As representatives of Australian cricket, we will now walk together toward our journey to a connected country.

Would be great to hear which clubs are keen to implement(rsvp to Sharon via this email) and we can work how this can work with opposition clubs on the day. It really is as simple as taking off their shoes and standing in a circle(socially distanced of course). We would especially love to see any photos which are always good and would like to share on the Inner East Girls Website and socials. (where authorised)

Really appreciate your support and hope all of our clubs would be keen to participate with their sisters!