By Benjamin Hodge
“The journey that lead to this jersey coming to fruition has been an interesting one and one I wouldn’t have predicted myself.
Firstly my name is Benjamin Hodge a proud aboriginal man of Tasmanian descent. I was fortunate enough to grow up in the local area and coming from willy juniors I played under 19s at Williamstown CYMS and continued on as a senior for a few years. During that time my engagement with my heritage wasn’t particularly strong, when my family had moved to Victoria a lot of connection to that aspect of our heritage had been lost, this also being compounded by the unfortunate history of indigenous peoples and records in Tasmania.
However when I moved to Sydney in 2020 for university this all changed. I became part of an indigenous student society, I met many other people of indigenous backgrounds all of whom where open and proud of their heritage, it was incredibly encouraging to become more engaged. This student society was also where the designs and artwork aspect came in. There was a call put out for someone to make a logo design to which I leapt at the chance as it was something new to try and I had always enjoyed creativity which my studies didn’t always allow, and I loved it. I found it a peaceful cathartic practice and it gave me a real sense of connection to my background which I hadn’t really experienced before.
This has lead me to making logos and jerseys including for my football club in Sydney the UTS bats, which I had the incredible opportunity to be present for their debut game in 2022. After this incredible experience I then came up with the idea of bringing indigenous representation to my childhood club and home town with its own
inaugural indigenous jersey.
The Jersey itself. When I think of Williamstown like may others I think of the water. We’re incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such beautiful country and one thing I have always found myself doing whether it be alone, with family or friends, during good times and bad, just sitting by the water watching it lap against the land. It’s
a beautiful and peaceful experience that I have always enjoyed and for me truly represents the beauty of the land this football club calls home. This being the inspiration for the design. To add to this I have included a gathering of men and a gathering of women. The football club is an incredible place to which many have called a second home, it truly is a place that brings the community together. I also wanted to emphasise the gathering of women, as a member of the club and then a supporter, I have been impressed by the clubs commitment to growing and promoting women’s football, I have seen the women’s football program grow and flourish becoming a significant and special part of the club.
I hope you like the jersey.”
Ben first approached the club in early 2023 with some incredible artwork he had designed for the club. I was lucky enough to sit with Ben and hear his story and learn about why holding this round would be important for the club
Unfortunately at the time, new jumpers weren’t a financial reality but thanks to the generous grant we received from the Westgate Neighbourhood fund, we have been able to create this inaugural Indigenous jumper.
We chose our Under 19s team to be the first to wear this jumper as the future leaders of the club.
We hope that this round will be a small step towards a journey of reconciliation that we all take together.