NBL1 basketballers to honour troops past and present with Anzac Round

There will be jerseys lined with red poppies, tribute medals and an ode to those lost in war. Read about how the NBL1 competitions will honour Anzac Round and what to expect from this weekend’s matches.

NBL1 conferences across the nation will be honouring troops past and present in this year’s Anzac Round, with players donning special tribute jerseys and a token medal to be awarded to players embodying “endurance, courage and mateship”.

“We’re excited to introduce the Anzac Medal in each of the NBL1 games this year, a tradition from NBL1 Central that has been extended nationally in 2023,” said general manager Dean Anglin.

Victoria’s Ringwood Hawks, who play in the NBL1 South competition, swept the first game of the round against the Kilsyth Cobras on Wednesday, with Jonathan Lawton and Marena Whittle pocketing the distinguished award dedicated to Australian and New Zealand service men and women.

The Anzac round will honour Australian and New Zealand service men and women with tribute jerseys, token medals, and an ode to those lost.

One of those people being honoured is Sutherland Sharks head coach Jeremy Jones, who served in the Royal Military College for two and a half years.

“It's so good for the athletes as well to just be part of it. And the visibility around what the day means to so many people like myself. It’s such a good experience for everyone involved,” Jones said.

Now coaching professional women's basketball, Jones is looking forward to commemorating those who have served in armed forces in Tuesday’s match-up against the Illawarra Hawks, which will include a brief ceremony between the male and female games, and an ode to those lost in combat.

A panel of red poppies will line the Sharks’ jerseys and shorts, while the back of the jerseys will feature soldiers in front of the Rising Sun badge, with the words ‘lest we forget’ written underneath.

Jonathan Lawton of the Ringwood Hawks won the round's first Anzac medal, dedicated to an exceptional player who embodies “endurance, courage, and mateship.”

“It certainly does bring a different vibe to the game itself. We had a team chat about it last night when we spoke about what an honour and privilege it is and what it means,” Jones said.

“Certainly the attention that it’s getting around the league is obviously very special being that we’re the only NBL1 game that’s going to be played on Anzac Day, so it’s such an incredible honour.”

Meanwhile in Saturday’s match against the Maitland Mustangs, Central Coast Crusaders guard Luke Cassidy will be representing his brother Bailey (a former Crusader), who has been in the defence force for eight years and works as a crewmen on the MRH 90 Taipan helicopters.

“To me, they represent the importance of camaraderie and teamwork,” Cassidy said. “There is a real sense of pride among the team, and we all acknowledge that the round makes the game bigger than just a game of basketball.”

All games will be streamed on NBL1.com.au, the NBL1 website and app. Games of the week will be on Kayo Freebies.