Soli Bailey will become the first professional surfer to wear the Aboriginal flag on his jersey at the Quiksilver Pro Snapper. He’ll wear it on his right shoulder, with the Australian flag on his left.
“I’m stoked to have it on my jersey and for WSL [World Surf League] to support me with that. My family represents from the Yaegl people and that consists of Maclean, right through to Coffs Harbour and that’s part of Bundjalung Country. I grew up in Byron Bay – so a little out of that area – but it’s a beautiful part of the world and it’s always going to be home for me.”
“We’ve hunted on the land and we’ve hunted in the ocean for longer than anyone knows. [The ocean] is a massive part of my culture … and it’s really special to me out there.”
Coach Rob Bain said
“It’s in his blood and it is super important to him. I think he’s going to be a great role model for Indigenous kids in Australia, I really do.I feel that there is a real change happening at the moment, especially with Australian youth of all cultures – to be embracing and to learn about the past.”
Bailey said: “I’m just super stoked to be able to represent my own country and what I love in my culture. If it makes some noise, awesome, because that means it’s getting it out there.”
