Marking a decade since the inception of the NRL’s Indigenous Round, First Nations players from the Cronulla Sharks women’s team reflect on what honouring culture means to them. As major partner and front-of-jersey sponsor for the Shark’s NRLW team, Quest couldn’t be more excited for the upcoming match.

How are Quest and the Cronulla Sharks women's team collaborating to celebrate the significance of the Indigenous Round, and how are the players honouring their heritage?

“Wearing this year’s Indigenous jersey means more than just representing a team; it’s about honouring my culture, carrying the strength of my ancestors, and showing pride in where I come from,” says proud Awabakal and Gamilaroi Cronulla Sharks Womens player Caitlan Johnston-Green. “Being represented on this year’s jersey fills me with a deep sense of pride, as I represent my family and hope to inspire the next generation of young Indigenous girls and boys.”

It’s a powerful sentiment from Caitlan and perfectly captures the spirit of the NRL’s Indigenous Round, an opportunity to celebrate the rich First Nations history and culture that permeates the game.

For the first time, and marking a decade since the league’s first Indigenous Round, this year’s event will stretch across two weeks of play, to ensure each team gets the chance to wear their jerseys with pride at a home game.

The Cronulla Sharks began their celebration last Saturday, August 9th, in a hard-fought match against the St. George Illawarra Dragons in which our mighty women stormed home with a 21-12 victory.

This Saturday, August 16th, the NRLW Sharks will host the Gold Coast Titans in the second match of the Indigenous Round, with the full support of Quest, major partner and front-of-jersey sponsor of the team.

“At Quest, our commitment is to the communities we operate in, and this partnership is about more than just our logo on a jersey,” says David Mansfield, Managing Director of The Ascott Limited, Australia.

“The NRLW Indigenous Round represents the values of respect, connection, and community that we champion. We are incredibly proud to stand alongside the Sharks in celebrating the oldest continuing culture in the world, and supporting these remarkable athletes who are such powerful role models.”

Designs by Aboriginal artist Jordan Ardler - worn with pride and place

The team will again wear specially-designed jerseys for Saturday’s match, designed by renowned Aboriginal artist Jordan Ardler, that incorporate totem animals connected with each player.

The women’s team has a proud representation of First Nations players, including hooker Quincy Dodd, speedy outside back Nakia Davis-Welsh, forward (and Indigenous All-Stars captain) Caitlan Johnston-Green, fullback/winger Jada Taylor, second-rower Rhiannon Byers and prop/lock forward Tommaya Kelly-Sines.

“What it means to me wearing the Cronulla Sharks Indigenous Jersey for 2025 starts with connection to my culture, a way of honouring our ancestors, and a source of pride and strength,” explains Quincy Dodd. “It carries the weight of our community’s history and resilience.”

First Nations football: A legacy of excellence

The Indigenous Round, while officially instated in 2015, has history rooted in several important movements within NRL.

An important acknowledgement of the contribution of Indigenous Australia to the sport of rugby league was the history-making All Stars match in 2010. This was the brainchild of legendary player Preston Campbell who, after playing in an Indigenous Dreamtime team that faced a New Zealand Māori team in a curtain-raiser to the 2008 World Cup, witnessed the immense pride it generated. Preston championed the idea of an annual pre-season game, leading to the establishment of the Indigenous All Stars vs. NRL All Stars match. This game became a powerful platform for celebrating culture and talent.

But in fact, it stretches back further than this, with the very first Australian Aboriginal rugby league team formed in 1973. This groundbreaking team toured New Zealand (something, shockingly, several required permission from the Aboriginal Affairs Department to do), winning seven of their nine matches and showcasing the incredible, yet often overlooked, talent within the Indigenous community.

While truth-telling and reconciliation in Australian sport might still have a ways to go, these opportunities to honour the immense contribution of our First People are cause for reflection – and celebration.