Tasmania JackJumpers unveil NBL Indigenous Round jersey

The reigning NBL Champions have released a specially designed jersey for the league’s upcoming Indigenous Round. See the Tasmania JackJumpers design here.

Tasmania JackJumpers players Lachie Barker (left), Will Magnay (middle) and Brody Nunn (right) in the club's NBL Indigenous Round jersey. Picture: Tasmania JackJumpers.

The Tasmania JackJumpers have unveiled their annual indigenous attire with a local artist selected by the club’s newly established Aboriginal Advisory Board to design the jersey.

Set to be worn by the NBL champions during the league’s Indigenous Round, Tasmanian Aboriginal artist Caleb Nichols-Mansell was selected to design a jersey that “honours both the history and cultural heritage of lutruwita/Tasmania”.

The design emphasises the Tasmanian Aboriginal people’s enduring connection to salt water. This relationship, central to their way of life for centuries, is represented by intricate line work that evokes the waves surrounding Tasmania.

Tasmania JackJumpers players Brody Nunn (front), Will Magnay (back left) and Lachie Barker (back right) in the club's NBL Indigenous Round jersey. Picture: Tasmania JackJumpers.

The jersey also features nine circular motifs symbolising the nine nations of lutruwita prior to colonisation, celebrating the resilience and heritage of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.

“I wanted this jersey to reflect our connection to the land and sea, especially the salt water, which has been central to our culture for generations,” Mr Nichols-Mansell said.

“By incorporating symbols of our nine nations, I hope to honour the strength of our ancestors and our ongoing presence on this island.”

The JackJumpers had to withdraw their original indigenous round jersey last season following backlash over the design.

Aboriginal Tasmanian man and former TSL player Rulla Kelly-Mansell told The Mercury at the time that “the use of dot art on the jersey misrepresented palawa-pakana art techniques”.

The 2023-24 jersey was designed by Reuben Oates.

The NB’s official Indigenous Round will take place during round 8 with the JackJumpers scheduled to host New Zealand at MyState Bank Arena on Saturday November 9 at 5.30pm.