Scorchers shine light on Indigenous culture during first Aboriginal match of BBL|12 season

Callan Morse Published January 2, 2023 at 12.45pm (AWST)

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Players participate in a Barefoot Circle whilst observing a Welcome to Country preceding the BBL|12 clash between the Perth Scorchers and the Melbourne Stars. Image: Will Russell, CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images.

The Perth Scorchers have showcased the organisation's connection to First Nations culture at their first Aboriginal match of the Big Bash League season.

The Scorchers hosted the visiting Melbourne Stars at Perth Stadium where both sides participated in a Barefoot Circle on Whadjuk Country, acknowledging the Noongar people as the Traditional Owners of the area before the match commenced.

Both sides wore their club's Indigenous uniforms for the first time this season, with each design paying homage to the connection that both the Scorchers and Stars have with First Nations peoples from their respective areas of the country.

Preceding the match, Scorchers captain Ashton Turner said his side felt extremely privileged to be able to connect to First Nations peoples by wearing the uniform.

We love being able to wear this strip," Turner said.

"We think it looks great, but we love the connection that it brings to the Aboriginal heritage and the connection that we have to the Aboriginal people in this part of the world.

An awesome way to begin our Aboriginal Match at #TheFurnace! 🔥 Connecting to Whadjuk Country with a barefoot circle ⚫🔴🟡 #MADETOUGH #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/wYnpCUfKoU
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) December 30, 2022

"We've got a lot of different practices that are connecting us to the Aboriginal people of this land, and it's something that we feel really strongly about."

Proud Whadjuk/Ballardong and Eastern Arrernte woman Jade Dolman designed the Scorchers Indigenous playing uniform.

Ms Dolman said the design has strong ties to the river-land geography surrounding Perth Stadium.

"In the background we have the Derbarl Yerrigan, which is the (Swan) River and those colours are done in the Aboriginal flag colours," Ms Dolman said.

"The water represents resilience (and) adaptability, it can be one of the most gentle things but also one of the strongest forces that we have on Earth."

The design also features concentric circles, representing opportunities and connections that develop in time.

Uniform designer Jade Dolman (right) pictured alongside Scorchers captain Ashton Turner. Image: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian.

Ms Dolman said the design is highly reflective of Perth Scorchers ethos as a sporting team.

"This design is very specific to the Scorchers team," she said.

"Their tagline is made tough which I feel like the design really embodies that with the river flowing and strength coming out through."

Following the match the Scorchers BBL and WBBL playing uniforms were auctioned, with all proceeds going to the Western Australian Cricket Association's WA Cricket Foundation.

The charity delivers programs for people with a disability, young women in cricket and Aboriginal cricket programs including the annual Kambarang Youth Carnival.

Ms Dolman said she was pleased that proceeds from auction will support the charity.

Player of the Match Jhye Richardaon (centre) and celebrates one of his four wickets with Scorchers teammates. Image: James Worsfold/Getty Images.

"I'm really excited that the money's coming back," she said.

"So that'll be really great."

A product of the charity, 16-year-old Hayden Collins was at the game, experiencing the day as a professional cricketer alongside Scorchers captain Mitch Marsh.

Collins said he thoroughly enjoyed the money-can't-buy experience, interacting with the players both inside the change rooms and in the dugout.

"I've met pretty much all the players and had a good chat with Mitch Marsh, been able to pick his brains, so that's been really cool," he said.

The talented Midland-Guildford batter is quickly rising up the cricketing ranks in Western Australia, having this season become the first player since current Australian Test cricketer Marcus Harris to make three consecutive centuries in the underage WA Premier Cricket League.

Hayden Collins (left) spent the day shadowing his favourite Perth player, Scorchers captain Mitch Marsh: Image: supplied, Scorchers Media.

Collins is part of the WA Cricket Foundation's specialised pathway to the National Indigenous Cricket Championships and is also in Western Australia's 14-player squad for the upcoming Under 17 Male National Championships.

The Indigenous prodigy said the impact of the WA Cricket Foundation is improving the pathway to higher level cricket for young First Nations cricketers in Western Australia.

"Cricket for Indigenous kids is growing throughout WA, it's improving," Collins said.

"The pathways are getting better, so I think it's really important for them to have the same opportunities as other kids."

Over $19,000.00 was raised for the charity through the auction of the Indigenous uniforms, with Mitch Marsh's shirt topping at $3180.00.

The Scorchers were also victors in the match, beating the Stars by six wickets.