Aussie basketballer Liz Cambage on her struggle growing up as a ‘tall, mixed-race kid’

Liz Cambage is one of Australia’s most successful athletes, but she agreed to front a new campaign for very personal reasons.

The only time you will normally find Australian basketball star Liz Cambage flaunting her bra and underwear is in the comfort of her own home.

But the Australian WNBA basketball superstar decided to front a new underwear campaign for Bonds for very personal reasons.

“Being a person who really stands for diversity, this call really meant a lot to me,” Cambage told news.com.au

The 27-year-old, who has just been named a starter for this month’s WNBA All-Star game, was born in London to a Nigerian father and Australian mother.

She said growing up as a “tall, mixed-race kid wasn’t easy”.

Australian basketball champ Liz Cambage, 27, in the new Bonds campaign.

“To this day, Australia is very whitewashed when it comes to media, and there isn’t much diversity on TV and in magazines,” Cambage said.

“Growing up I never had anyone I could relate to, and so the more diversity we have is so important not just for girls but for boys too who struggle with body image.”

The Commonwealth Games gold medallist said she had a tough time growing up due to her appearance and would often dye her hair just to “fit in”.

“I was a six foot black girl at 12 years old, and I didn’t look like anyone else,” Cambage said.

“I dyed my hair blonde and wore blue contacts. I thought that was the standard of beauty.

“But I snapped out of it at 16 — and realised I shouldn’t have to change myself for others, and they had to accept me.”

Cambage said growing up she tried to ‘fit in’ by dying her hair blonde.

Cambage with eco activist Emma Breschi in the new campaign.

Get real with Retro Rib, the brand-new Originals Underwear range from Bonds, is more than a “campaign” for Cambage.

She said the brand had taken a powerful stance by featuring “real” women to help empower others — and it’s a message that embodies what she stands for.

“I think everyone looks in the mirror and sees things they want to change, but at the end of the day I love myself, and I’m blessed with my height and talent,” Cambage said.

“If I wasn’t this tall, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.”

The Melbourne-raised athlete is in Las Vegas for the WNBA season, playing for the Las Vegas Aces.

The campaign celebrates women of all forms.

“I was injured for 10 months coming into this season — I need to get into the gym and get my weights and cardio done. There’s no days off when you want to be the best and get your body in its best condition.”

Cambage tries to keep her diet 80 per cent plant-based after stopping eating meat a year ago.

“I have definitely noticed the changes to my body — the way my food digests, bloating and skin as well,” she said.

“At the end of the day it’s all about making little changes here and there that work for you.

“Everyone is different.

Cambage currently plays for the Las Vegas Aces and has just been named starter for this month’s WNBA All-Star game.

“Life is a balance, as long as you stay true to who you are and look after yourself; physically and mentally everything will be good.”

Bonds marketing manager Michelle Taylor said Cambage was an amazing role model for young women.

“She’s the perfect embodiment of everything we stand for,” Ms Taylor said.

Get Real also features women’s rights advocate Emma Breschi and freckled beauty Tehya Elam.

“The Retro Rib campaign is all about celebrating women of all forms and empowering them to be the real version of themselves,” Ms Taylor said.

The Get Real campaign and Bonds Retro Rib collection is in-store and online from today.