National Reconciliation Week means a lot to everyone at Collingwood.
But it is especially important to Jack Crisp, who has formed a very close bond with his Indigenous teammate Travis Varcoe since the pair arrived at the Magpies prior to the 2015 season.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve, he’s an unbelievable bloke and player to have at the club,” Crisp said of Varcoe.
“I’m glad we came here at the same time and have become really close mates.
“I’ll always treasure that for the rest of my life.”
The friendship between Crisp, 26, and Varcoe, 32, has grown stronger in the past 18 months.
Crisp was a key pillar of support for his mate after Varcoe’s sister, Maggie, died in 2018 after suffering a head injury while playing footy.
“I’m glad I could be there as a strong support for Trav in that time,” Crisp told collingwoodfc.com.au as part of an interview to coincide with National Reconciliation Week.
“It did mean a lot.”
Crisp still marvels at how Varcoe kicked the first goal of the Pies’ qualifying final against West Coast at Optus Stadium just days after his sister passed away.
“It really lifted everyone’s spirits,” Crisp recalled.
Varcoe’s sister-in-law subsequently helped design Collingwood’s 2019 Indigenous Round guernsey, which paid tribute to all the support the family received after Maggie’s passing.
“It’s special to Trav and his family, but I think everyone at the football club holds it as one of our favourites,” Crisp said.
The theme for #NRW2020 is "In this together".
CLICK HERE to get more information from the reconciliation.org.au website
