Cricket unites as First Nations Round returns in Big Bash League
Big Bash League: The Big Bash’s First Nations Rounds returns this summer in KFC BBL|12 with 11 matches across eight days in eight cities, including Gumbainggir (Coffs Harbour) and Ngunnawal (Canberra).
It all kicked off on Friday night when the Sydney Thunder hosted the Perth Scorchers at Sydney Showground Stadium on Wangal land.
Big Bash League: The BBL’s round will be held from January 13-20 :-
The BBL’s round will be held from January 13-20, while there was also 16 WBBL|08 First Nation Round matches held between November 6-16 last year.
“First Nations Round is a great start, we’ve seen the success it’s had in the football codes and the more we can get these awesome looking jerseys out there, they’re going to go a long way in helping grow the game in Indigenous communities,” said Doggett.
All eight teams will again wear Indigenous-themed uniforms :-
All eight teams will again wear Indigenous-themed uniforms, each designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and sharing unique stories.
Throughout First Nations Round, the league and clubs will showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and ceremony through barefoot circles, Welcome to Country and incorporation of local languages, and immersive experiences for fans through music and art.
There are three Aboriginal players signed to BBL|12 squads: Sixers’ allrounder Dan Christian (Wiradjuri), Thunder’s Doggett (Worimi) and Hurricanes’ Short (Mitakoodi).
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Big Bash League: Adelaide Strikers :-
BBL: The Strikers’ kit was designed by Aboriginal artist Allan Sumner, a descendent of the Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna and Yankunytjajara people.
The primary element of the shirt is the centric circles in the middle of the artwork, which represent the cricket ground where the Adelaide Strikers play, with a batsman and bowler facing at either end.
The dots on either side represent the cricket ball as it is hit and thrown across the field, while the other two features are the hands on the sleeves, which represent the hands of the players, and the different shades of blue dots that represent different communities and places across the country where the Strikers play.
Big Bash League: Brisbane Heat :-
BBL: Mikayla Hinkley, a proud Kunja woman and Brisbane Heat player, helped design the Brisbane Heat’s First Nations Round playing shirt, collaborating with Brisbane Indigenous artist, and close friend, Delores McDonald (Aunty Delly).
The front of the shirt features the flames of the Heat’s logo surrounding the Gabba circle, where players are sitting in a circle which represents harmony and unity, bringing players and fans together.
The Brisbane River, with its abundance of foods, plus animal and human tracks, is on the back of the shirt. A Rainbow serpent/snake represents both male and female players, and the Circle represents the Gabba, plus roads travelled to and from it by teams.
On the sleeve, the centre circle is the Gabba, alongside other water holes which used to be near the ground. There are 87 black strokes on red earth that represent the wickets taken by Aboriginal great Eddie Gilbert.
Hobart Hurricanes :-
BBL: The Hurricanes’ shirt was designed by palawa woman Sharnie Read.
Hailing from the North West coast with a background in Aboriginal heritage management, Read’s design represents the ancient symbols of Tasmanian Aboriginal people; representing one of the oldest cultures in the world and showcasing palawa connection to country.
Most of the symbols depicted are found in ancient engravings around the island’s coastline, and show the palawa people’s connection to land and sea through the symbols rolling across the waves.
The blue gum leaves represent the sharing of knowledge, the love of the island, and its unique environment.
Melbourne Renegades :-
BBL: The Renegades’ playing shirt has been designed by Ky-ya Nicholson Ward, a Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai-illum Wurrung woman.
The circle in the centre of the shirt represents the act of gathering together, with 12 smaller circles outside representing the players while the lines at the shoulder and hips represent players standing side by side for their journeys together.
Melbourne Stars :-
BBL: The Stars’ shirt was also designed by Ky-ya Nicholson Ward. The star on the back represents Stars country, where Bunjil, a wedge tailed eagle, the creator spirit lives.
The surrounding smaller stars represent the players of the team, coming from all different paths and places in life, but all being connected through cricket.
The blue running through the centre represents Birrarung (Yarra Rivers) and the circles in the middle of the design represent family.
Perth Scorchers :-
BBL: The Scorchers’ shirt was designed by Jade Dolman, an Aboriginal artist with Whadjuk/Ballardong, Eastern Arrernte heritage.
The artwork on the playing kits focuses on water. Because it is significant to WA’s culture and the landscape, especially the WACA Ground.
Dolman will also be painting a live artwork at Optus Stadium during the Scorchers clash with the Hurricanes on Wednesday January 18 and there will be an online auction running where fans can bid live on the artwork, with proceeds donated to the WA Cricket Foundation and its Aboriginal pathway programs.
The artwork will depict the power of sport in bringing communities and people together and forming new connections on Whadjuk Country.
Sydney Sixers :-
BBL: Designed by Jordan Adler, a Sydney-based Bidjigal woman, in close collaboration with Sixers players Ashleigh Gardner (Muruwari) and Dan Christian (Wiradjuri). The playing shirt symbolises the connection of the Sixers community.
The large circle on the shirt represents the SCG, the club’s spiritual home and meeting place, where Sixers supporters come together.
The sand goanna, the totem of the Muruwari people, is a nod to Gardner’s Indigenous roots, while the three rivers represent Christian’s Wiradjuri mob.
Sydney Thunder :-
BBL: Designed by Rheanna Lotter, a Sydney-based Yuin woman. The playing shirt honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and symbolises the connection of the Thunder Nation.
The large circle in the middle represents the Thunder teams (women’s and men’s) and the boomerangs symbolise their fierce energy.
The lighter circles at the top represent past, present and future players, while the stars represent Aboriginal ancestors.
The dots surrounding and connecting the circles represent the supporters, staff, sponsors and wider community who make up the Thunder Nation.
Big Bash League |12 First Nations Round matches :-
Jan 13: Thunder v Scorchers, Sydney Showground Stadium, Wangal
Jan 14: Strikers v Heat, Adelaide Oval, Kaurna
14 Jan: Renegades v Stars, Marvel Stadium, Wurundjeri
Jan 15: Hurricanes v Thunder, Blundstone Arena, Palawa
Jan 15: Sixers v Scorchers, SCG, Gadigal
16 Jan: Stars v Heat, MCG, Wurundjeri
Jan 17: Sixers v Strikers, C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Gumbainggir
Jan 18: Scorchers v Hurricanes, Optus Stadium, Whadjuk
19 Jan: Thunder v Renegades, Manuka Oval, Ngunnawal
Jan 20: Strikers v Scorchers, Adelaide Oval, Kaurna
Jan 20: Heat v Hurricanes, Gabba, Yugara