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Barrumatta - Official Match Ball
The 2023 FIPFA World Cup Local Organising Committee extends its heartfelt acknowledgement and appreciation to the talented Manton sisters, Casey and Tia. As proud Worimi women, they've used their creative prowess to design the striking tournament ball.
Casey and Tia are no strangers to infusing art with sports. They have a rich history of designing notable works, including unique apparel artwork for the Northern NSW Football's “indigenous round” celebrations and rugby league jerseys. They've also partnered with various small businesses and other enterprises, adding their distinct artistic touch to each project.
Their bond with football goes beyond design - both sisters have years of experience playing association football in the Hunter-Newcastle area, making their contribution to the World Cup even more significant. Among their other sporting affiliations is the Metford Cobras, where creative and sporting spirits have left a lasting mark.
We are privileged to showcase their remarkable design at the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup, and we believe it will inspire players and fans alike.
Casey and Tia are no strangers to infusing art with sports. They have a rich history of designing notable works, including unique apparel artwork for the Northern NSW Football's “indigenous round” celebrations and rugby league jerseys. They've also partnered with various small businesses and other enterprises, adding their distinct artistic touch to each project.
Their bond with football goes beyond design - both sisters have years of experience playing association football in the Hunter-Newcastle area, making their contribution to the World Cup even more significant. Among their other sporting affiliations is the Metford Cobras, where creative and sporting spirits have left a lasting mark.
We are privileged to showcase their remarkable design at the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup, and we believe it will inspire players and fans alike.
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Design
We firmly believe that the story of an artwork is best narrated by the artists themselves, with their personal insights and interpretations bringing depth and context to their creation. With their permission, we'd like to share the unique story that Casey and Tia Manton have woven into the design of the tournament ball for the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup.
Drawing from their rich cultural heritage and personal narratives, the Manton sisters conceived and realized a design that truly stands out. Inspired by their connection to their roots and the stories that define them, they've crafted a design that embodies the essence of their heritage.
This exquisite design has been aptly named "The Barrumatta", symbolizing the strength, resilience, and pride of their cultural journey. The 2023 FIPFA World Cup will be held at Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush, on the lands of the First Nations Barramattagal people. Prior to European colonisation, the Australian landmass and surrounding islands were home to over 250 First Nations, representing many clans and, it is estimated, between 300-700 language groups. The First Nations people of Australia represent the oldest continuous living culture in the world, stretching back tens of thousands of years.
The epicentre of Barramattagal country is the Parramatta River, which winds its way from Sydney Harbour, through the traditional lands of the Wangal people and westward to the city of Parramatta. The totem of the Barramattagal is the eel, and the eel is part of the "dreaming" of the Sydney area.
"Barrumatta" describes an eel making its way along or a place where eels are gathered. The eel dreaming not only shaped the land but linked the people, nourishing and empowering those who came to it. In acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which the World Cup will be contested, and after consulting various individuals, organisations and authorities on First Nations culture and history as well as academics whose expertise is in Language Recovery and cultural observance, it was felt that the actions of the Powerchair players could describe the "movement of the ball" as an eel travelling back and forth and up and down the playing court .... and its resilience, forging connections and sustaining people through play. It is felt that the action of the Powerchair players will demonstrate respect not only for the First Nations people of the local area, but also for the Barru (eel), which was the major food source that thrived in the local river systems in and around Sydney.
This part of Sydney also nurtured Harry Williams, who was a member of Australia’s men’s national team (the Socceroos), which qualified for its first FIFA World Cup Finals in 1974. A proud Wiradjuri on his paternal side and Yorta Yorta man from his maternal line, Harry’s football journey began in the southern suburbs of Sydney with Peakhurst United. But it was whilst playing in the prestigious school tournament, the Tasman Cup, for Gymea High School, that he was identified and recruited by the Western Suburbs club, then a powerhouse and torch-bearer for Australian football. Harry’s development to senior elite football was consolidated here, on Drummoyne Oval, on the lands of the Wangal, neighbours of the Barramattagal. And his selection for the 1974 Finals in West Germany also made him Australia’s first First Nations player at a World Cup Finals. Australia’s football is very proud of Harry and his legacy to footballers of First Nations heritage remains very real.
The naming of the tournament ball was not intended to be an exercise in linear language translation. Rather, it is an effort to synthesise the available information into a celebration of First Nations people, whose profound resilience has sustained the ancient and extant culture of Australia’s original inhabitants. The Local Organising Committee would like to thank those who offered guidance and counsel on these acknowledgements and the naming of our World Cup ball, the Barrumatta, including but by no means limited to Worimi man and Emeritus Professor at the University of Newcastle and author of "The Aboriginal Soccer Tribe" John Maynard.
Drawing from their rich cultural heritage and personal narratives, the Manton sisters conceived and realized a design that truly stands out. Inspired by their connection to their roots and the stories that define them, they've crafted a design that embodies the essence of their heritage.
This exquisite design has been aptly named "The Barrumatta", symbolizing the strength, resilience, and pride of their cultural journey. The 2023 FIPFA World Cup will be held at Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush, on the lands of the First Nations Barramattagal people. Prior to European colonisation, the Australian landmass and surrounding islands were home to over 250 First Nations, representing many clans and, it is estimated, between 300-700 language groups. The First Nations people of Australia represent the oldest continuous living culture in the world, stretching back tens of thousands of years.
The epicentre of Barramattagal country is the Parramatta River, which winds its way from Sydney Harbour, through the traditional lands of the Wangal people and westward to the city of Parramatta. The totem of the Barramattagal is the eel, and the eel is part of the "dreaming" of the Sydney area.
"Barrumatta" describes an eel making its way along or a place where eels are gathered. The eel dreaming not only shaped the land but linked the people, nourishing and empowering those who came to it. In acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which the World Cup will be contested, and after consulting various individuals, organisations and authorities on First Nations culture and history as well as academics whose expertise is in Language Recovery and cultural observance, it was felt that the actions of the Powerchair players could describe the "movement of the ball" as an eel travelling back and forth and up and down the playing court .... and its resilience, forging connections and sustaining people through play. It is felt that the action of the Powerchair players will demonstrate respect not only for the First Nations people of the local area, but also for the Barru (eel), which was the major food source that thrived in the local river systems in and around Sydney.
This part of Sydney also nurtured Harry Williams, who was a member of Australia’s men’s national team (the Socceroos), which qualified for its first FIFA World Cup Finals in 1974. A proud Wiradjuri on his paternal side and Yorta Yorta man from his maternal line, Harry’s football journey began in the southern suburbs of Sydney with Peakhurst United. But it was whilst playing in the prestigious school tournament, the Tasman Cup, for Gymea High School, that he was identified and recruited by the Western Suburbs club, then a powerhouse and torch-bearer for Australian football. Harry’s development to senior elite football was consolidated here, on Drummoyne Oval, on the lands of the Wangal, neighbours of the Barramattagal. And his selection for the 1974 Finals in West Germany also made him Australia’s first First Nations player at a World Cup Finals. Australia’s football is very proud of Harry and his legacy to footballers of First Nations heritage remains very real.
The naming of the tournament ball was not intended to be an exercise in linear language translation. Rather, it is an effort to synthesise the available information into a celebration of First Nations people, whose profound resilience has sustained the ancient and extant culture of Australia’s original inhabitants. The Local Organising Committee would like to thank those who offered guidance and counsel on these acknowledgements and the naming of our World Cup ball, the Barrumatta, including but by no means limited to Worimi man and Emeritus Professor at the University of Newcastle and author of "The Aboriginal Soccer Tribe" John Maynard.
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