Melbourne Storm Apologises, Will Deliver ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ for Indigenous Round

The side that cancelled a Welcome to Country last minute on Anzac Day has issued a broad apology as it gears up for the Indigenous Round.

An Indigenous dancer performs a Welcome to Country ceremony before round 12 NRL match between Dolphins and Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia on May 20, 2023. Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Melbourne Storm says it will conduct an Acknowledgement of Country at its Indigenous National Rugby League (NRL) Round on Aug. 7.

The announcement comes as the NRL side released an official statement apologising to Australian Aboriginals, New Zealand Maoris, and Pacific Islanders for scrapping a Welcome to Country which was set to be performed before a match by elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin on ANZAC Day.

The Storm axed the event last minute following heckling at Melbourne’s flagship ANZAC commemoration service by some members of the crowd who believed ritual was an insult to those who had served.

The move by the Storm to cut the Welcome to Country later that day sparked backlash from the Indigenous community, with some Aboriginal groups withdrawing their support for the team and Aunty Joy refusing to work with them again.

The Victorian Aboriginal Health Services also ended its alliance with the Storm.

At the time, the Storm said there had been a “miscommunication” that had resulted in the event’s cancellation.

But on Aug. 5, the Storm said it had been in “ongoing communication” with members of Melbourne’s Wurundjeri Indigenous community, announcing it had formally apologised to them.

“As we continue to engage with the local community regarding connection to the club and cultural protocols and out of respect for those involved, the club will recognise the traditional owners of the land through an Acknowledgement of Country on Thursday night for Indigenous Round,” the Storm’s statement read.

“Indigenous Round presents the opportunity to not only honour the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players who have worn the purple jersey, but also the club’s commitment to creating an environment that respects and celebrates First Nations cultures—not just during Indigenous Round, but throughout the year.

“Melbourne Storm is built on the strength of our many cultures, including our long-standing relationship with First Nations and Maori and Pasifika communities, and we remain committed to ensuring our social and community programs continue to make a positive impact.”

Started in the 1970s, the Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country are ceremonies performed by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander elders at public events.

It has become a topic of debate with those in favour saying it’s a mark of respect for tradition and culture, while those against—including some Indigenous groups and individuals—say its overuse has caused the ceremony to lose its relevance and meaning.