Following delivery of its inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan in 2021, the NBL says it is proud to launch its new Innovate 2024-2026 plan - having received endorsement from Reconciliation Australia.

This comes after the NBL recognised three years ago under the previous Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan that it may "have not yet sufficiently recognised in a consistent and sustainable way" the contributions First Nations peoples have made to the development and success of Australian basketball.

Recently appointed NBL First Nations and Inclusion Manager Kellie Langmaid – a proud Palawa woman – pointed out the distinct significance of the new initiatives this time around.

"We have been on a journey to ensure the NBL makes a significant, meaningful, and lasting impact on First Nations communities, and these new initiatives are an important step in our path," Langmaid said.

"Our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan carries on the lessons learnt from our Reflect (Reconciliation Action Plan) and is about implementing change.

"The Reconciliation Action Plan outlines a deep understanding of how the NBL can positively help influence the First Nations community, and the actions we have committed to in order to reach those outcomes.

"Identifying and fostering future talent is a key theme of the Reconciliation Action Plan, and has been the driver behind two important initiatives.

"We are proud to have launched a talent identification program in Queensland, while during (this year's) NAIDOC Week, we partnered with Patty Mills' Indigenous Basketball Australia (organisation) to help shine a spotlight on the emerging First Nations talent during an IBA All-Stars game."

NBL chief executive David Stevenson added how proud the League is to have worked with the Indigenous authority – Reconciliation Australia – on its Innovate plan while speaking at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern, the popular Aboriginal inner Sydney suburb, on Wednesday.

"The Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan is an important step forward, but now it is about action, and we look forward to partnering with communities and stakeholders across the nation to deliver it and strengthen outcomes," Stevenson said.

"It is a privilege to commit to this ambitious, innovative, and a future-focused Reconciliation Action Plan, and we are so proud to have worked with Reconciliation Australia and our Reconciliation Action Plan working group."

An additional initiative is to also symbolically strengthen the reconciliation journey following the commissioning of a new official NBL Indigenous Artwork – painted by Luke Penrith, who is also a proud Wiradjuri, Yuin, Wotjobaluk and Gumbaynggirr Nations man.

The artwork titled Flowing Unity: The Heartbeat of Basketball from Penrith's will be proudly showcased throughout Indigenous Round this week. It celebrates unity, resilience, and cultural diversity, and serves as an important reminder of the intrinsic connection between sport and First Nations heritage.

The NBL – in recognising its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players since the league's inception back in 1979 – has drawn up 12 points of action in the new Reconciliation Action Plan for engagement resulting in multiple deliveries, a timeline and an assigned responsibility to ensure the action required is reached.

The league acknowledges that "considerably more can and must be done" to form mutually beneficial relationships, encourage and strengthen greater involvement, advance recruitment, and the retention and professional development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players at all levels of the game across a number of roles.

This is especially important to the NBL as "we seek to strengthen" the representation of more First Nations players in Australia's professional basketball economy, the plan intends to deliver.

The growth of the game in Australia has ensured more than 3.5 million Australians follow the NBL, and from such clear popularity, "we are strategically positioned to continue to amplify and influence the national dialogue of reconciliation", the plan includes.

One of the most culturally diverse and inclusive sports in Australia – as well as the second-most participated in team sport – Australia's premier basketball competition aims to unite the varied and vast basketball communities after being enriched by the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, referees and administrators over 46 years.

The game in Australia intends to "support and develop pathways in the game for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people" while the NBL also accepts the responsibility of the "scope of influence to encourage reconciliation and also improve the outcomes" for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which is a responsibility that "we do take very seriously".

"The NBL remains committed to using our reach, influence and resources to further advance both reconciliation and national unity," Stevenson added.

"We recognise specific contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have made to the development and success of Australian basketball, and we reflect on this every year, not only during moments of national significance such as National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week, but also our own moment of celebration during Indigenous Round."

The development of the league's cultural safety framework, under new changes to the NBL, are codified into the rules and regulations of the competition, which constitutes some of the significant measures to foster support and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. This principle runs through the day-to-day initiatives including Welcome to Country as part of the requirements before every NBL game, showcasing both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at venues, producing and the showing of respect with Indigenous Round apparel, and incorporating the telling of stories and connections to Country, under the new Reconciliation Action Plan.

The Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan has also taught the NBL about attracting First Nations administrators into senior positions within the organisation and also our network of clubs, and the NBL is currently incorporating best practice processes to ensure First Nations administrators are represented in future expansion teams.

"A key theme of this Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan is identifying and fostering talent into the future," Stevenson said.

"We have done this deliberately as we believe that Australian basketball would not be where it is today without the trailblazing pioneers of the past, so it is incumbent on us to create the pathways and support systems that will identify and empower the next generation's First Nations talent."