MORE THAN A JERSEY
CAIRNS Taipans have unveiled the Indigenous jersey they will wear when they host the Brisbane Bullets on December 14.
The NBL’s Indigenous Round incorporates games from rounds 10-12 this season, with all teams to wear locally designed Indigenous jerseys during games.
The jersey was designed by Uncle Henry Fourmile.
A Gimuy Wallabarra Yidinji man, he is a descendant of his great-grandfathers Jirtigiug and king Yeini of Cairns.
The designs on either side of the jersey represent a “central place of sportsmanship on Gimuy country”.
The NBL launched the round at Parliament House last week with Mareeba product and marquee Bullets signing Aron Baynes among the guests with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said the involvement of local Indigenous artists went far beyond just a jersey design.
“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.”