Glenmore Bulls celebrate as they kick off Sir Doug Nicholls Round
Published on 15 May 2025
Glenmore Bulls AFL Club will celebrate the culture and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People as they host the annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round at Stenlake Park this weekend.
2025 will mark the sixth year the club has held the event, the biggest Indigenous AFL round held in regional Queensland.
The round brings together Darumbal, Torres Strait Islander and Woorabinda communities, Elders, players and supporters, for a celebration of Indigenous culture and sport.
Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said Council was very proud to get behind the Sir Doug Nicholls Round and provide a $1,500 Community Assistance Program grant to support the event.
“We know Darumbal and neighbouring communities and Elders look forward to coming together at this annual event which really is a celebration, not only of sport, but of family, community and identity,” Mayor Williams said.
“Clubs and volunteers do so much work to build participation in sport and bring communities together, so it is only fitting that Council works hard to support them through the Community Assistance Program.”
The AFL Indigenous Round was first established in 2007, and was renamed in 2016 as the Sir Doug Nicholls Round, to honour the man who was the first Aboriginal player to ever be knighted.
Rockhampton Regional Council Deputy Mayor and Communities Culture and Heritage Drew Wickerson said this year’s event will place strong emphasis on the growing numbers of Indigenous women in AFL.
“It is such a positive for girls to see the strength of women’s AFL, and we understand every effort has been made by Glenmore Bulls to try and bring some AFLW players to the round to highlight the achievable feat it is for local women to play at higher levels,” Cr Wickerson said.
“It will be a great weekend of round competition, but also celebration, with Darumbal dancers, Welcome to Country, didgeridoo performances, Torres Strait Islander dancers, face-painting, yarn telling, stalls and food vendors.
“Stenlake Park will also be a vision of Indigenous art as players from the Glenmore Bulls proudly wear their Indigenous jerseys which were designed by James Waterton, a player and local Darumbal artist, in collaboration with junior Glenmore Bulls players.
“Opposition teams will also don their own club’s Indigenous designs, acknowledging and celebrating Indigenous culture, both on and off the field.”
Rockhampton Regional Council Division 7 Councillor Marika Taylor said she was proud to support a sporting club that is working so hard to build its player base and its community.
“Glenmore Bulls AFL Club has excelled each year at hosting the Sir Doug Nicholls Round and celebrating Indigenous culture, sport and community and I congratulate the committee on their ongoing efforts,” Cr Taylor said.
Glenmore Bulls AFL Club’s Treasurer Scott Salter said they were pleased to receive funding from Rockhampton Regional Council for the Sir Doug Nicholls round as it assisted the club to continue to fund projects that assist the Darumbal community and improve grounds and facilities.
“It is the biggest Indigenous AFL Round held in regional Queensland, and it gets bigger every year,” Mr Salter said.
“Glenmore Bulls AFL Club have many indigenous families and players that really appreciate the very positive way we celebrate this round and their culture, with many indigenous players playing on this day.
“I am extremely proud to continue hosting this event and making it a bigger and better celebration each year.”
The 2025 Sir Doug Nicholls Round will be held at Stenlake Park, 20 McLaughlin St, Kawana QLD 4701 on Saturday 17 May. For more details visit the Glenmore Bulls Facebook page.
For more information about Council’s Community Assistance Program and how to apply, contact Council Community Services on 4936 8368 or head to our website.