Fitzroy Stars are set to make history on Saturday when they run out on their home deck for NAIDOC Round on Saturday.

The club's women's and two men's senior sides all have top four clashes circled on their calendars for the day, with Crows and Carlton legend Eddie Betts set to pull on the jumper at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval in Thornbury, in Naarm's inner-north.

It's the first time the whole of the Stars' overage footy program will play on the same day - ahead of NAIDOC Week.

Uncle Alan Brown knows the club better than most.

He's a multiple premiership winning player, captain, coach and life member, who's brothers and sons joined him playing there.

The Stars' significance to the local Aboriginal community, and others, can't be understated, Uncle Alan said.

"It's massive. Everybody wants to know, 'How did Stars go?'" he told National Indigenous Times.

"People get around us. We have huge crowds that come and watch and it's a positive place…we're like a meeting place.

"There are only two clubs like Fitzroy Stars in Victoria."

The other being Rumbalara Aboriginal-led Football & Netball Club in Shepparton.

"Fitzroy Stars Football and Netball Club genuinely makes a difference and saves lives," Uncle Alan said.

"Being at Fitzroy Stars is bigger than football; it's connection, its active participation, it's caring for and building people, families, and Communities, it's our safe place."

On Saturday they partner with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) and its statewide health campaign The Koorie Way for NAIDOC Round.

The NAIDOC Cup will be presented to the winner of the senior men's and women's games.

It's a "big weekend" with "big games" ahead, Uncle Alan said, and a way "to celebrate who we are and get our community engaged in a really positive environment".

Keen interest in their on-field fortunes is nothing new to the club, though but a crowd eclipsing 1000 is expected at the local footy ground to see the so-far unbeaten senior men's in a top-two clash with Laruimar, and third placed reserves attempt to knock off the top-of-the-table Power.

The women's outfit, sitting second on the table, have their own statement to make against South Morang.

NFNL women's football competition is played on Sunday's, with other parties coming ticking off the change for a historic occasion.

The day comes with music, children's entertainment, cultural activities and pre-match ceremonies.

Stars' netball teams are set to play their NAIDOC Round at La Trobe Sports Stadium in Bundoora on Friday night.

"Some (will come) to watch the big game, some some just to watch the event, some just to catch up - because that's where everyone will be, some just bring their families so their children can join in on the rides and get around all the other other activities happening.

"It's a positive way that we do things, having events like this, where people can participate and just enjoy each other's company in a safe place."

Stars entered the Naarm's Northern Football Netball League in 1972 and 'operate from the local Aboriginal community', the club states.

It remains open to non-Indigenous people, Uncle Alan said, who themselves, once they get involved and get a feel for the environment, become like brothers and sisters "for life".

The relationship with VAHS stretches back their entire history.

Uncle Alan also works at the health service.

"We see sport and partitipation in sport as like a healthy opportunity for Aboriginal men and women to to be engaged in a positive environment…make healthy choices, lifestyle choices, but it's also about getting together and networking, socialising.

"Playing sport together is a fun thing…We (Stars) enjoy the success that we have on the ground and on the court, but it's also about the success we have as it's a real family environment.

"We get around each other, we sort of grow up together - as in families and community.

"VAHS has been a 50 Year supporter of the football club."

Uncle Alan believes the club "genuinely makes a difference and saves lives", is bigger than football, and "A victory for the Stars is a victory for the Community!".

Saturday 5 July 2025, Sir Doug Nicholls Oval, Watt Street, Thornbury

10:00am Fitzroy Stars Women vs South Morang

11:55pm: Fitzroy Stars Reserves vs Laurimar

2:10pm: Fitzroy Stars Seniors vs Laurimar