The day doubled as a farewell to Cahill Park after 50 years of calling it home, and gave the club and its members a chance to pay respect and thanks to the traditional custodians of the land - the Mowgee peoples.

"It worked out great that the last home game would tie in with the Indigenous Round, it allowed us to say thanks to the owners of the land for all of the years," event organiser, Angus Berry said.

Following the round's success, Berry, who also coaches the under 6s, said the round is something the club will likely continue for years to come.

"I'm lost for words really," he said.

"You couldn't have asked for a better day, it ran so smoothly. Everyone helped make it happen.

"This year was only the under 6s to under 9s so the goal next year is to go from under 6s through to under 16s so all of junior league will don an Indigenous jersey for the day, not just the minis.

"We've set the bar and will continue to do so every year."

The Aboriginal jerseys, designed by Mudgee Aboriginal Land Council chairperson Aleshia Lonsdale, were a fan favourite, with Berry having had reports of parents "having to pry them from their kids".

"The kids loved it. They all got a jersey, shorts and socks to take home, they were pumped," Berry said.

"I've had reports of kids still wearing their jersey on the Sunday night with the parents having to pry the jersey off their kids so they could wash them.

"I was out and about one arvo and I saw some kids cruising around with them on.

"It shows them that there's an Indigenous culture in Mudgee that they didn't know about. The jerseys that Aleisha did brought light to the fact that the Cudgegong River and goanna are a part of our Indigenous culture."

Former rugby league greats, Ron Gibbs and Isaac Gordon, made an appearance on the day to show their support for the round.

"They both jumped on and helped ref the younger games and handed out awards at the end of the day," Berry said.

"The kids may not know them but from my point of view and a lot of the parents who watched them play footy, we're very appreciative of them coming to support it."

Berry couldn't go without thanking the sponsors, club and parents for their support because without them,"this day would not have been possible".

"Thanks to all of the sponsors and the club for getting behind it, and for the parents who continue to bring their kids because if they didn't, we wouldn't have games," he continued.

"It's unbelievable how generous the sponsors have been to make this day happen because without them, it wouldn't have."

The first Mudgee Junior Rugby League Indigenous Round was held at Cahill Park on Saturday, August 7, 2021.

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