Melbourne Storm Apologises for Cancelled Welcome to Country Ceremony

The Melbourne Storm have formally apologised to the Wurundjeri community and broader First Nations, Māori, and Pasifika communities for the last-minute cancellation of the Welcome to Country ceremony scheduled for their Anzac Day match earlier in the year. The cancellation, attributed to an internal miscommunication, caused significant distress among Indigenous groups, including Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy, who was set to perform the ceremony. Following ongoing discussions, the Storm confirmed they would hold an Acknowledgement of Country, rather than a Welcome to Country, before their Indigenous Round match against the Brisbane Broncos, a decision that has sparked criticism from some fans regarding cultural respect and timing. The club's apology comes amid controversy around the release of their Indigenous Round jersey, which honors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players. The Storm expressed a commitment to rebuilding relationships with Indigenous communities and respecting cultural protocols moving forward. This incident highlights continuing challenges in sports organizations' engagement with Indigenous cultural practices and community expectations.