Bellottie vision leads to Indigenous Round

The man-in-the-street footy fan probably wouldn’t recognise the name.

But when it comes to vision — and how football can be made bigger and better — there’s few in this neck of the woods who can match it with Carrissa Bellottie.

Five years ago, she had a dream.

If the AFL and the WAFL could do it, then why couldn’t the Great Northern Football League?

And so Indigenous Round was born.

On Saturday, Ms Bellottie will enjoy the fact indigenous footballers — and her race overall — are being honoured.

“I kicked it off with the support of Adrian Bartlett (well-known local indigenous identity) and it went from there,” Ms Bellottie said.

“We got funding from the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and GRAMS (Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service) for specially-made jumpers, which are designed by Craig Pickett.”

A past president of the Mullewa club and presently a board member of the GNFL, Ms Bellottie is “surprised” the idea of an indigenous round hasn’t caught on in WA.

“I don’t think any other (country footy) league in the State has an indigenous round,” she said.

“We are looking at a women’s match and/or a legends game for next year. The concept of the round is also about reconciliation and we honour a volunteer indigenous worker from each club.”