Prior to NAIDOC Week, Ursula Frayne Catholic College Primary held their own celebrations in the last week of term.
WA Cricket’s Aboriginal Cricket Project Officer Cody Hoffmeister, Aboriginal Cricket Specialist Adam Cockie, and other staff members were invited to introduce and run some traditional Aboriginal cricket games for the students.
The program saw approximately 250 children from years 3 – 6 rotate throughout the day as they were led through three games.
Students were also taught some of the traditions and meanings behind the games while participating.
The three games played on the day were Wana, Wana Wana, and Nyoongar Wana.
The background of the word wana relates to the Noongar people of Western Australia and refers to a digging stick.
The tradition of the games is based around young Noongar girls placing a short stick in the ground and attempting to knock it over. While attempting that, a girl in the middle would defend it with her digging stick.
The traditional games have been slightly adapted to create some variation but all stem from the concept of the game the young girls played.
Hoffmeister said it was great to see the students embracing the games and the meaning behind them.
“The day was super engaging, the kids were eager to participate and were smiling throughout the day,” he said.
“Some of the kids wanted to stay outside and play with us all day!”
“A lot of the students were interested in the stories of the traditional games and were excited to know the history which was great to see.”
