Tasmanian Aboriginal artist Carly Grey's design has been unveiled as the Tasmania JackJumpers 2025 NBL26 Indigenous Round jersey.
A powerful representation of Tasmania's Aboriginal culture, connection and Country, the design features nine mutton birds on the left side, symbolising the nine traditional nations which inhabited the state pre-colonisation.
Mutton birding remains a vital cultural practice for Tasmanian Aboriginal communities, preserving stories, skills, and intergenerational knowledge.
On the right, nine meeting places are separated by waterways, referencing the importance of water for Tasmanian Aboriginal people as sources of food, transport routes, and spiritual sites tied to ancestral stories.
At the heart of the jersey design is 'Lutruwita' — the traditional name for the state used by some Aboriginal communities within Tasmania — written in maireener shells, symbols of great cultural significance to Tasmanian Aboriginal women.
In Tasmanian Aboriginal culture shells are traditionally used in necklace making, a practice passed down through generations as a way to honour ancestry and connection to Country.
Nine meeting places appear again in the central map of 'Lutruwita', surrounded by journey lines which represent shared knowledge, stories, and connections across the land.
A JackJumper ant is also seen resting on the coastline, symbolising the club's grounded connection to place and community.
A proud palawa woman originally from Tasmania's North-West coast, Ms Grey currently lives and works on Noongar country in Western Australia.
Her artistic journey began in 2021 as a way to connect with her heritage and explore her cultural identity.
Since then, she has used art to drive healing and education within communities, families, and classrooms through her work as a First Nations liaison in a primary school, as well as a teacher and coach.
Her NBL26 Indigenous Round jersey design reflects this journey.
"Using art, I've found stronger connections in my personal relationships and have had meaningful, healing conversations about culture and identity," Ms Grey said.
"This design tells a story of the deep, continuous connection palawa people have to Lutruwita. I feel incredibly honoured to represent my community through this collaboration with the JackJumpers."
On the shorts, nine petroglyph-inspired circles pay homage to traditional rock carvings, a record of continuous culture etched into the land, with another jack jumper ant appearing on the coastline on the front of the jersey.
The back of the jersey includes five yarning circles, each with five people, representing the JackJumpers' players, coaches, staff, members, and wider community.
The number five also marks the JackJumpers fifth year in the NBL.
Within each yarning circle are thylacine paw prints, further grounding the design in identity, resilience, and strength.
The cultural element of Ms Grey's design was guided by her dad, Guy 'Chalky' Grey, as well as her stepdad, Todd Rogers of Todd Rogers signs, who assisted with the digitisation of the artwork.
Ms Grey was selected as this season's artist by the Tasmania JackJumpers Aboriginal Advisory Panel, which consists of Uncle Rodney Dillion, Teresa Sainty and Aunty Lola Greeno.
JackJumpers CEO, Christine Finnegan, commended Ms Grey's design.
"Carly's artwork beautifully captures the essence of the Indigenous Round and what it means to be truly connected to culture and community" Ms Finnegan said.
In addition to designing this year's JackJumpers Indigenous Round jersey, Ms Grey has previously worked with Fremantle Dockers by designing their 2023 AFL Indigenous Round jersey in collaboration with Tasmanian-born Dockers captain, Alex Pearce.
The jersey will be worn during the NBL's Indigenous Round, with the JackJumpers home Indigenous Round fixture scheduled for Saturday November 1 against the Cairns Taipans at Launceston's Silverdome.
The jersey is now available via shop.JackJumpers.com.au and nblstore.com.au.
