PORT ADELAIDE players will wear orange shoe laces during Saturday night’s season-opening match against Gold Coast in celebration of Harmony Day.
Harmony Day celebrates Australia’s diversity and is a day of respect and recognition for all cultures and everyone who calls Australia home – from the traditional owners of this land to those who have come from countries all over the world.
The game against the Suns will be played on March 21, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the culmination of Harmony Week in Australia.
“Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate that,” said Port Adelaide’s Multicultural Programs Manager Alipate Carlile.
“But it should also serve as a reminder that inclusiveness, respect and helping people belong needs to be maintained.
“We’re grateful that the AFL has given our players permission to wear the orange shoelaces to remind people what we have and the values we should live by.”
Recently announced AFL Multicultural Ambassador, Martin Frederick has donned the orange laces in training this week to show his support for the growing importance of Harmony Week.
“With the current situation that we are facing worldwide with Coronavirus, Harmony Week and the messages associated with it become even more important as we are encouraged to be more inclusive of others, understanding of differences and be always looking to support in times like these,” the Power defender said.
“Harmony Week ties in with messages that we talk about through the Power Intercultural Program which we deliver to schools.
“We talk about how everyone belongs, understanding and accepting of difference and supporting one another through life. Now more than ever these messages are important.”
The club has elected to wear orange laces because orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week.
Traditionally, the colour signifies social communication and meaningful conversations, the freedom of ideas and mutual respect.
