Indigenous Round launch: NBL and WNBL join forces in highlighting First Nations people

The NBL and WNBL have partnered in this year’s Indigenous Round, which takes on added significance in the wake of the angst caused by the ‘No’ vote on the Voice to Parliament.

Amid the angst and division of this month’s ‘no’ referendum vote on a Voice to Parliament, NBL chief executive David Stevenson says the league’s Indigenous Round team up with the WNBL is an opportunity to acknowledge and recommit to First Nations people.

The men’s and women’s leagues have joined forces this round with all clubs donning stunning themed jerseys, while players will reach out to Indigenous communities, schools and cultural centres to strengthen connections.

“It’s been a challenging couple of weeks for everyone in our First Nations community and lots of people across the country,” Stevenson said.

“But we really believe that this is the time, now, to recommit ourselves to this important work.

NBL referee Jacqui Dover, Jessica McDowell-White of the Townsville Fire, Leilani Mitchell of the Southside Flyers, Alex Wilson of the Bendigo Spirit and Biwali Bayles of the Illawarra Hawks at the launch of the NBL and WNBL Indigenous Round at The Lume in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

“The … Indigenous Round is something that we’re very passionate about. (It) gives us an opportunity to tell fantastic stories about players and officials and referees, and we believe that our commitment needs to become even stronger moving forward.”

The NBL provides a pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, providing salary cap exemptions for fully-rostered players and funding a portion of development player contracts.

The WNBL launches its season on Wednesday with Indigenous Round, partnering with Treaty for Victoria.

Brisbane Bullets teen Next Star Rocco Zikarsky in the club's Indigenous Round jersey. Picture: Supplied

Adelaide guard Mitch McCarron dons the Sixers' Indigenous jersey. Picture: Cameron Suridge/Adelaide 36ers Media

Co-Chair of First Peoples’ Assembly of Australia Ngarra Murray said: “Treaty is about putting First Peoples in the driver’s seat when it comes to decisions about our communities but it’s also a great chance to make sure our languages and cultures are respected and can be celebrated by everyone. So it’s a good fit for the WNBL’s Indigenous Round and we’re pleased to be involved.”

This is Matt Kenyon, Ben Ayre and Rhys Vague from the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the club's Indigenous Round jersey.

First Nations players in Australia’s elite basketball leagues

NBL: Keanu Pinder (Perth), Will McDowell-White (NZ), Will Hickey (Illawarra), Biwali Bayles (Illawarra), Kian Dennis (Cairns)

WNBL: Leilani Mitchell (Southside), Ally Wilson (Bendigo), Jess McDowell-White (Townsville), Shaneice Swain (Sydney), Neseya Parker Williams (Sydney), Indiah Bowyer (Townsville), Abby Cubillo (Adelaide)

Melbourne United stars Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, Matthew Dellavedova and Chris Goulding in the club's Indigenous Round jerseys.

Originally published as Indigenous Round launch: NBL and WNBL join forces in highlighting First Nations people