Loeliger Emphasises Indigenous Commitment

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

NBL Commisioner Jeremy Loeliger has emphasised the league’s commitment to creating pathways for First Nations people through the indigenous player rule.

NBL Commisioner Jeremy Loeliger has emphasised the league’s commitment to creating pathways for First Nations people through the Indigenous Player Rule.

The Indigenous Player Rule provides financial incentives to clubs that identify and contract First Nations’ talent and it continues to open up pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players to the elite level.

Two players are currently contracted under the rule: Sydney’s Biwali Bayles and Illawarra’s William Hickey.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> stars Aron Baynes and Will Hickey were also in attendance to show their support.<br><br>Hickey is currently one of two NBL players signed under the Indigenous Player Rule. <a href="https://t.co/yEHhvd5ibX">pic.twitter.com/yEHhvd5ibX</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1597444749711278080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“It’s all about identifying them early, giving them a foot in the door and an opportunity to establish themselves in the pro ranks,” Loeliger said on SEN Breakfast.

“The idea is about end-to-end identification all the way through to safe and healthy workplaces and prosperous careers.

“In terms of elevating that young talent to the next level that’s where the Indigenous Player Rules really comes into place.

“Our job is to go out and find at least 10 young First Nations players and put them into our talent combine every year, and then from there give them exposure to all our NBL coaching staff.”

The NBL reached new heights on Tuesday after launching its Indigenous Round at Parliament House with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The Indigenous Round runs through Rounds 10-12 with each team to wear Indigenous jerseys designed by local Indigenous artists during that period.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"There is a place for you at the highest level" ?<br><br>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is excited to watch the emerging generation of First Nation talent in the NBL ?<br><br>Check out the full video ? <a href="https://t.co/HnnlVtbuKO">https://t.co/HnnlVtbuKO</a> <a href="https://t.co/kvIIV2j7lY">pic.twitter.com/kvIIV2j7lY</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1597456570065031170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“Each club pairs with an artist from their local area, and it’s more than just designing a jersey, that artist comes into the club and educates the players and staff to the connection of the land on which they play,” Loeliger said.

“That filters through to our fan base and that’s really important, that educational message in finding its way to the fans and through to those clubs.

“They’re a great storytelling piece, not just in terms of storytelling about the island itself and the people who are the traditional owners of that land but also the cultural importance of the club within the community and the role that First Nations played in developing the sport and basketball in that community.”