THE Nowra-Bomaderry Jets, a club with a proud Aboriginal heritage, will celebrate their culture at Rugby Park this Saturday, as they hold their annual Indigenous round.
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The massive day at Rugby Park starts 9.15am, when the Nowra Warriors face both Berry-Shoalhaven Heads (under 8s) and Milton-Ulladulla Blue (under 9s), before the Nowra Warriors Kangaroos battle St Georges Basin Red at 10am.
The 16-1 Warriors' match with Corrimal will follow at 10.45am, before the Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony take place at 11.45am.
This will lead into the three senior games; Jets vs Albion Park-Oak Flats (WLT one at 12.30pm), Jets vs Robertson (reserve grade at 1.30pm) and Jets vs Eagles (first grade at 3pm - who will all be wearing specially designed jersey by Jordan Ardler, who has ties to both the Wreck Bay and La Perouse communities.
The jersey will once again feature a Black Cockatoo (Nowra) and running water (Bomaderry) on the front, while the back is different this year with an Aboriginal flag.
"As I jumped on the committee this year, one of the first things we talked about back in November was our Indigenous round, as it is, in my opinion, our biggest in-season game," Jets captain/coach Dylan Farrell said.
"With close to 80 per cent of the club being Indigenous, this event means a lot to everyone.
"Even to the non-Indigenous players who have grown up in our community and appreciate our culture - it's a way to close the gap."
From a personal perspective, this will be Farrell's first time playing on the day, as injury ruled him out of last year's fixture.
"Obviously our team goes in wanting to win every game but with so many people expected there on the day, especially from our families, a victory on Saturday would cap off what is sure to be a massive day for everyone at the club," Farrell said.
If the Jets were to win on Saturday against Gary Breakspear's Eagles, they would cement their spot in the top-five even further.
"Obviously we are happy where we are sitting right now but we all know there is a long way to go before finals," he said.
"It's going to be a really tight race for those semi-final position - which is a credit to how close the competition is.
"Apart of Jamberoo, who have been the benchmark this season, all the other teams have been really close and playing at a high standard."
Following this match on Saturday, the Jets play each of the other five teams still in contention for semi-final football.
"Of all the games that we have let slip this season, the one I learnt the most about myself as a coach was that Gerringong loss," Farrell said.
"When I was off the field [in the sin-bin], it gave me a chance to watch and saw how we self-imploded.
"I think all the boys learnt a lot from that match, which will help us the next couple of weeks, as we look to lock-up a finals spot."
On Saturday, there will also be health services and information stores, as well as a jumping castle, at the ground.