'Connections' - SDNR Round At Sherwood
Andrew Thomson
2026 SDNR Round at Sherwood: Connections
Over the weekends of 16-17 and 23-24 May, our community came together for Sherwood's SDNR round. It was more than just a round of footy—it was an acknowledgement, a story, and a moment to reflect on who we are as a club.
We welcomed Indigenous Elders and leaders to our oval for a Welcome to Country and ceremony. They blessed our ground, and our teams took the field wearing something specially designed for the occasion: the 'Connections' guernsey.
The design came from Alyssa Ivinson, a Wakka Wakka/Muringh Gir/Torres Strait Islander woman whose grandmother is a Wakka Wakka Elder and traditional owner from the Gayndah region. Her grandfather holds connections to the Muringh Patha language group in Wadeyre, NT, and Erub Island in the Torres Strait.
The artwork isn't just decorative. It represents the strength and unity that defines Sherwood AFC. At its heart lies the club totem—a magpie—rising from the centre of Powwewenna oval, its wings carrying an acknowledgement to the country on which we play and the spirits of the ancestors who guide us forward. Surrounding the design are rings representing the broader community and the diverse nations that come together as one.
What made SDNR round at Sherwood even more special was Alyssa's deep connection to the club itself. Her family has been involved with Sherwood AFC for over 30 years, with three generations currently involved in both player and support roles. Her father, Wil, is a coach here. This wasn't about bringing in an outside designer—it was about a member of our community sharing her culture and her gift with us.
That's what SDNR round was about for us: connection. Connection to the land, to each other, to our Elders, and to the values that hold this club together.
