Albanese, Loeliger Praise NBL Indigenous Connection

The NBL celebrated the launch of its NBL23 Indigenous Round today, with over 30 ministers including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joining league owner Larry Kestelman, Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger, players Aron Baynes and William Hickey, and key stakeholders at a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.

The competition’s Indigenous Round is set to run from Rounds 10-12, and as part of the celebrations each team will wear bespoke uniforms designed by local First Nations artists.

With jerseys going on sale to the general public on Wednesday, November 30, clubs are slowly beginning to drip feed their jersey designs through their media channels – much to the delight of fans around the country who are, once again, excited to engage with one of the most anticipated periods in the Australian basketball calendar.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Introducing the Perth Wildcats 2022/23 Indigenous Round uniform! ?<br><br>This year’s design proudly features the artwork of emerging Geraldton artist Beau Simpson.<br><br>Design story: <a href="https://t.co/0W8QZV0WAL">https://t.co/0W8QZV0WAL</a><br>ON SALE Wednesday 30 November. <a href="https://t.co/j2QThzmeam">pic.twitter.com/j2QThzmeam</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1597048216394297344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">????? ?????????? ?????? ????<br><br>Designed by Yankunyjatjara and Wirangu woman <a href="https://twitter.com/ShelleyWare?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShelleyWare</a> our NBL23 Indigenous uniform focuses on ?????????.<br><br>Jersey on sale tomorrow<br><br>? FULL STORY: <a href="https://t.co/osN9CfQYFn">https://t.co/osN9CfQYFn</a> <a href="https://t.co/8OUajpr1p6">pic.twitter.com/8OUajpr1p6</a></p>&mdash; South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1597421972023308293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

NBL Commissioner Loeliger says the increased focus on Indigenous Round is the natural progression of one of Australia’s most storied competitions.

“Every year in Indigenous Round we invite artists, local to each NBL club and market, to paint a custom jersey for our players to wear, and each year we, our players, and importantly our fans, learn more about their connection to the lands on which we gather and play around this country,” Loeliger explained.

“As Australia’s longest continuous national sporting league operating for more than 43 years, the NBL is now proudly recognised as the world’s second-best domestic basketball league after the NBA. A key part of that success has been our firm and ongoing stance on inclusion and diversity because we firmly believe basketball is, and importantly always has been, a game for everyone.

“We’re making a concerted effort to ensure our current and former First Nations players, coaches and administrators are duly recognised for their enormous contribution both to the sport and to our league, and that up and coming First Nations players are given the opportunity to live their dream and walk in the footsteps of their heroes.”

Part of creating that opportunity for First Nations players is the Indigenous Players Rule, a rule which incentivises each NBL club to identify, develop and employ Indigenous players.

“It provides direct pathways for Australia’s elite First Nations players to establishing themselves as professional athletes here in Australia,” Loeliger continued.

“We’re very proud to be the first sporting league in Australia to introduce direct financial incentives to our clubs to proactively identify and recruit the best First Nations talent to their playing rosters.

“Importantly, in order to attract those financial incentives clubs must also provide cultural awareness training to all of their employees, ensuring a safe an nurturing workplace for everyone. The NBL will always support emerging First Nations basketball talent.”

Prime Minister Albanese has praised the NBL for its leadership in the space of pushing forward Indigenous sporting talent within the Australian sporting landscape.

“Indigenous Round celebrates the extraordinary contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to basketball in Australia and to the sporting life of our nation, from trailblazers like Nate Jawai, icons like Patty Mills and future stars like William Hickey” Albanese said.

“Indigenous Round also sends a powerful message to the next generation of young Australians dreaming of playing NBL.

"To First Nations kids practicing their free throws at school, playing half-court at the local park or getting excited for their first game at the local PCYC or sporting centre – there is a place for you at the highest level.”

Albanese also lauded the influence the Indigenous player rule could have on sporting codes across the country.

“It's great the NBL is backing up this round with the Indigenous Players Rule,” he said.

“The first of any code of such serious incentives and I congratulate the NBL on its leadership in encouraging clubs to recruit more First Nations talent.”