NBL25 Indigenous Round jerseys revealed

The Hungry Jack's NBL's Indigenous Round will be held in Round 8.

Every club jersey has a unique story, with all the details below. 

CLICK HERE TO SHOP INDIGENOUS JERSEYS

Artist: Mali Isabel - Arabana and Kokatha artist, living and practising on Kaurna land (Adelaide), Australia. 

A proud Arabana and Kokatha woman, Isabel loves to draw inspiration from the land that surrounds her, capturing the environments and translating them into magical landscapes.

Stories are deeply entwined in her paintings, many of which highlight feelings, themes, and experiences that transcend all cultures, races, and religions. 

The underlying goal of this is to embed the understanding that we are all human and deserve to be treated with equal respect and kindness.

Jersey design story: Tultyurrinthi (Come together) 

The Tultyurrinthi artwork (come together) is inspired by the Adelaide 36ers community and the land the team represents. 

The jersey pays homage to beautiful Kaurna Yerta and the diverse history and culture that we get to share alongside the Kaurna miyurna (people). 

Using the colours kaarukaaru (red), kardalta (blue) and wirranirana (yellow), Isabel has created an artwork that represents the Adelaide 36ers community, that embraces and welcomes all the people regardless of their differences. 

The jersey features the shape of Kaurna Yerta which is covered by the Aboriginal flag to show pride of our Aboriginal culture and land. 

There is a man sitting beside the land to represent each male who has played for the team past and present. There are 15 stars to represent the current players on the team. 

Kangaroo, emu and human tracks are all travelling to the same location to support each other and come together as one. 

The sides of the jersey feature four meeting places to acknowledge the four championships the club has won. The NBL25 Indigenous uniform features seven meeting places, the meanings of these meeting places shift in the eye of the beholder so people have the opportunity create personal meaning of the places that feel like wardli-ana (home) to them. 

Isabel collaborated and gained inspiration from traditional owner Drew Kilner, who is a young Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri man from south of Adelaide. 

Artist: Cassie Dover from Deadly Creations by CD - Mob: Kombumerri with connections to Kunja people.

Jersey design story: The artwork represents the city of Brisbane and the location where the Bullets play. 

The river is a big part of Brisbane with all the blue spaces and connecting pieces representing the community and land surrounding the organisation. 

The support circles represent each individual player, (in the centre) and the surrounding people sitting represent all those who support the players to be on court, the key stakeholders - their families, the coaches, staff, members, fans, sponsors, volunteers and all others who contribute to the team. 

Artist: Kevin Edmondstone  - Yidinji Clan in Far North Queensland, Australia, having connections to Palm Island and Varrabah where my birth parents are from.

Kevin enrolled into art school at an early age, and began his artistic journey from there. 

Kevin went to Tafe in Cairns in the 2000’s to start an Indigenous Art course, where he completed his certificate 111, Diploma and Advanced Diploma from 2004. He has developed his art style over the years to what it is today. 

Jersey design story: This design is about Far North Queensland – Kevin’s home, his culture, where he’s from. 

The animals in the design are traditional food we hunt for, to eat at weddings, gatherings and funerals - they represent the sea. 

Representing the land, are the feet we stand on and live. Kevin worked with the Taipans on the beautiful gradient, selecting yellow and oranges hue to represent the primary colour of the team, complemented by his personal artistic style. 

Artist: Aunty Trish Levett - proud Gundungurra woman from the mountains in the Southern Highlands of NSW (Mittagong). 

The artist’s traditional name is Kalawatawarra which means dragonfly. The artist uses all different mediums and loves to paint with traditional ochres that mother earth provides. 

Jersey design story: This painting tells the story of connection to mother earth and farther sky. Down the bottom is the ocean, above the ocean is the river, the circles in the river represent sacred medicine water holes where we wash our medicines or mix them with water. 

The landscape mother earth is above the river. The hawk in the centre represents the Illawarra Hawks, on the hawk chest is a meeting where we all come together as one. Either side of the hawk are the sacred mountains. 

The hawk teaches us strength and connection. The hawk will show up to remind us all of our own strength, wisdom and to take notice of what is going on guide us. The hawk reminds us to keep looking forward. 

The Sky (father sky) shows the stars. Since the beginning of time, our people have used the stars as a guide to navigate our way across mother earth. The stars hold many of our stories, and our ancestors spirits. 

Artist: Alex Kerr - A proud Wurundjeri man

Alex’s mother Di (Aunty Di) Kerr taught him everything he needed to know today, with a strong cultural background leading Alex to important career opportunities. 

He joined Barpa (majority owned Indigenous building company) where he found the drive for empowering Indigenous businesses.

After growing his connections within Barpa – he now owns a business called Liwik Yiyah (Ancestors Dreaming) Consulting, which has been in operation for 1.5 years, where he gets to share his culture with all different kinds of people every single day whether that is through cultural consulting, designing, large scale mural works, cultural ceremonies and lastly the schools program he runs.

Jersey design story: “Bunjil – Our Creator”

The design of this uniform is all about the importance of Bunjil and what it means for the Wurundjeri people. This is why Bunjil is the prominent in the design. 

The uniform also tells the story of William Barak who is the last "ngurungaeta" (Chief) of the Wurundjeri people. Alex did this by using William’s style of artwork together with Alex’s and created the meeting place design you can see on the side of the jersey. 

This meeting place also represents all the community of Melbourne/Narrm United along with the Wurundjeri people and strong connections we have today. The design then has Waa (crow) - our protector and his feathers on the designs watching over the community and ensuring their safety while conducting business on Wurundjeri country. 

Artist: Anthony Wilson

In his early years, under expert tutorship by some of the country’s top Maori carvers, Wilson developed his natural creative ability and understanding of Maori culture. The artist represents the Awatere Marae, Auckland NZ, nation.

Jersey design story: This season's jersey design theme is KŌWHAIWHAI, (a traditional Māori pattern that is used to enhance storytelling), inspired by the patterns found in our meeting houses, which symbolise genealogy, or WHAKAPAPA.

These patterns illustrate our connection to our creator, with lines extending all the way back to the source of creation. We acknowledge that we are part of this creation and that our ancestors play a vital role in our existence. Each individual has their own unique WHAKAPAPA, and anyone, regardless of their background, can embrace this connection to the creator if they understand its significance.

Our design team chose to incorporate the colours of PAUA shellfish, which symbolise our deep connection to the sea. Many cultures of the Pacific, especially among seafaring communities, share this bond with the ocean. The design reflects themes of speed and agility, resonating with the strong sense of Pacific identity that unites all islands.

From a design perspective, New Zealand is home to many ethnicities, and this design aims to connect indigenous cultures with those from around the world. We strive to create something unique and distinct—reflective of a modern, diverse response with inclusive colors.

Artist: Jarnda Bina Councillor-Barns - Karrajarri, Nuggaja, Noongar (Binjarup), Maori woman from Boorloo (Perth, Western Australia).

At 17, Jarnda moved to her grandfather's country, Geraldton WA. Where she felt at home and thought she’d give painting a go. After a year of perfecting her craft, she began working with companies such as AUSTRADE, City of Perth, Super Rugby, Perth football league and plenty more. 

Since starting her own business two years ago, she has exposed her son to multiple opportunities and taught him about his cultures in the process. In the future, she aims to work with as many companies as she can to continue on sharing her stories and exchanging knowledge on Jarnda Councillor-Barns my cultures with different workforces. 

Jersey design story: This design stands as a testament to resilience, echoing the journey of an individual.

At its core, the design captures the essence of overcoming barriers, whether it be financial, locational, accessibility etc. These paths represent the winding roads of struggle, each twist and turn a testament to the resilience required to navigate through those barriers.. 

Interwoven with the paths are patterns drawn from the fabric of cultural identity. The opaque entities in the back represents the rich connections of our elders and their presence with us on our journey giving us strength to push through our challenges.. Through the design, those barriers that are depicted as obstacles to be overcome, their presence acknowledged but ultimately transcended in the pursuit of unity and strength. 

Amidst the vibrant tapestry of cultural symbolism, the design is anchored by the steady presence of natural elements. The flowing waters speak to the locational challenges faced along the way, reminding us of the importance of stewardship and harmony with the land and our people. Through the design, the individual's connection to the earth is honoured, highlighting the resilience forged through a deep reverence for our traditional lands. 

As the emblem comes to life, it serves not only as a representation of the basketball team but as a powerful reflection of the journey that brought them to this moment. Each line, curve, and colour speaks to the triumphs and tribulations faced along the way, weaving together a narrative of strength, unity, and unwavering determination. 

In its entirety, the indigenous design for the basketball team emblem stands as a testament to the human spirit's capacity to overcome barriers, embracing the challenges of the past while forging boldly into the future. 

Artist: Dixon Patten - proud Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, Dhudhuroa man with bloodlines from Wemba Wemba, Barapa Barapa, Djab Wurrung, Wiradjuri, Yuin, Wodi Wodi,  Wolgal, Monaro. 

As an artist, designer, mentor, influencer and a strong community advocate, Dixon's artistic practice is informed through a strong cultural value that his family and community have imprinted into his mind, heart, and spirit. 
 
His approach to his engagements is much bigger than an artistic visual; it is about the gifts and the influential shifts that creativity brings. Dixon’s narratives often delve deep into familial history, often in celebration and exploration of culture and connection and his willingness to share and learn are informed by the art of Deep Listening, or in his native Yorta Yorta language, ‘Gulpa Ngawul’.

This practice has guided many of Dixon’s expressions by uncovering the layers, exploring trauma, exploring grief, reclaiming culture, bridging gaps, being accountable, learning to understand and challenge systems, influencing spaces and learning to celebrate self. 
 
He takes his role as a storyteller seriously and feels humbled to continue this strong aspect of Aboriginal culture.

Jersey design story: Orange Bellied-Parrot

Dixon chose to honour this bird in his design, as there is symbology that aligns with the Phoenix.

Unfortunately, since settlement; Australia has one the highest extinction and endangered species rates in the world. There are fewer than 100 remaining Orange-Bellied Parrots in the wild. 

The Orange-Bellied Parrot is one of only three parrots that migrate. It is a symbol that South East Melbourne is home to people from all walks of life, that migrated here as a means for survival, opportunity and abundance. 

Dixon’s hope is to encourage people to see beyond modern LED’s, concrete footpaths, roads and buildings and truly see the landscape and understand how we collectively contribute to Country’s wellbeing. The Orange-Bellied Parrot and many other species deserve survival, opportunity and abundance. 

Dixon’s hope is that like the Phoenix, the Orange-Bellied Parrot rises up strong, yet unlike the Phoenix, hopes it does not become a symbol of death for us to acknowledge its significance. 

The patterns in the bird honour our carving culture(s) in modern Victoria, we traditionally used diamond shaped patterns and geometric shapes. These patterns can be found on our Possum Skin Cloaks, artefacts, scar trees, rock art and painted on our bodies during ceremony. 

Artist:  Stewart James, born and raised in Narrandera, Wiradjuri Country.

Jersey design story: This design is all about identity! To go forward in life, you must know who you are and where you come from.

The design embraces the stories that have built the foundations of who the Sydney Kings are as a club. They represent the people, the areas across Sydney, and the proud history of all that has come before them.

Throughout the design there are symbols that hold important meaning and is intentionally designed in a way that explains the geographical connection between all the areas across Sydney. 

There are five meeting place symbols that acknowledge the ancestral lands and waters of all the First Nations Clan Groups that cover the entire footprint of the Sydney area. Leading outwards from these symbols are swirling lines that connect to the entire design, which demonstrates the link to the old stories and the new stories. Still to this day, those areas carry a proud history and connection to those places and those peoples.

The same five symbols, acknowledges the success of the Sydney Kings by including the five championships they have previously won, which embraces another level of identity to who they are.

The diamond patterns represent a protective armour like feature of the design. This pattern was often used on traditional weaponry in various regions throughout First Nations Groups, particularly seen on traditional shields used for combat. 

The continuous circular patterns reflect the diverse cultures that Sydney as a place embraces. This again influences the identity of the Sydney Kings. These same circular patterns recognise all the knowledge and history that is included within this design and allows people from all walks of life, from all areas of Sydney, to stand united when the Sydney Kings take the court.

Artist: Caleb Nichols-Mansell – proud Tasmanian Aborginal man with deep connections to country, community, culture and spirit which all inform his practice and process as an artist and leader.

Caleb Nichola-Mansellis an early career mixed-media artist, and the founder of Blackspace Creative Arts and Cultural hub. 

Caleb has an extensive portfolio in graphic design and digital art, and has been commissioned by several leading institutes and organisations both within the state and nationally. He is beginning to experiment with large scale festival and public art installations as well as site responsive works, which have been commissioned by Yirramboi, Dark Mofo and Junction Arts Festival. 

His artwork aims to generate conversation and evoke deep thinking, whilst providing viewers with an intimate look at what it means to be a Tasmanian Aboriginal man in modern day Tasmania. 

Jersey design story: The design is about the Tasmanian Aboriginal community and the connection to the island. 

The centre of the design and present on all panels of the jersey, are nine circular motifs which represent the nine nations that made up Iutruwita/Tasmania. The nine nations lived on, cared for and practiced culture on these lands and the Palawa community continue this today. 

The JackJumpers will wear these nine nations on their front as a reminder of the leaders we were, and still are, on their backs as a reminder of the past and deep time connection we hold, and on their sides as a reminder we walk side by side. The salt water wraps around their bodies just as it does in the ocean.