KEVIN Dumas has played a pivotal role at the Sawtell Panthers this season.

The former Panthers player has taken on the role as the club’s first Indigenous liaison officer.

The new role has Dumas providing support for the club’s Indigenous players, providing mentorship, guidance, moral support, and addressing any grievances the players may have.

Panthers president Colin Fogarty outlined what Dumas brought to the club in his new role.

“He brings a lot of well-earned respect to the club, he’s well respected in the community as a great family man, proud local Indigenous man, part of an extended family that’s proud of their culture,” he said.

“And Sawtell is really proud to have him a part of our club to lead us to stamp out racism and build cultural awareness, and Kevin is the perfect man for us to lead that charge,” he said.

Fogarty explained the importance of Dumas’s role at the Panthers.

“Kevin offers guidance on how the club should approach difficult situations, he’s there for guidance for the players to support them if there is any racism, and with Kevin’s guidance and our commitment to that, we can get better outcomes for everyone,” he said.

“We’ve got a high percentage of players that are from Indigenous backgrounds, and we are really proud of that as well, and I think part of that is due to Kevin doing his role, they see that there is support there and that the club is trying to make a difference, and that we will make a stand and draw a line in the sand that there will be no racism here, it won’t be tolerated, and it will be dealt with appropriately on an individual basis.”

The Panthers president said Dumas had been the ideal person for the role.

“He has done a wonderful job, and he has got brothers and cousins that play in the team and who coach our junior teams, so it really is a family bond at the club, and he has got strong family values that he brings to the club, and that is why he was the perfect person to initiate the role.

“And if anyone wishes to help Kev in his role, please contact Kev or myself.”

In addition to his liaison duties, Dumas also designed the Panthers jerseys for their Indigenous Round match against the Nambucca Heads Roosters at Rex Hardaker Oval this weekend.

He has also created artwork that features at the club’s grounds, and coaches the Panthers Under-12s team.

By Aiden BURGESS