NBL Indigenous Rounds launched, supported by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Callan Morse Published December 13, 2022 at 8.24am (AWST)

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised the NBL's approach to Indigenous player inclusion whilst launching NBL Indigenous Round. Image: Lukas Coch/AAP Photos.

Indigenous culture will be acknowledged and celebrated throughout December with the National Basketball League holding Indigenous Rounds across Australia and New Zealand.

The Rounds were recently launched at Parliament House in Canberra by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who acknowledged the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players in the NBL.

"Indigenous Round celebrates the extraordinary contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to basketball in Australia and to the sporting life of our nation," Mr Albanese said.

"From trailblazers like Nate Jawai, icons like Patty Mils, and future stars like William Hickey, Indigenous Round also sends a powerful message to the next generation of young Australians dreaming of playing NBL."

First held in 2021, the matches form the NBL's second Indigenous Round and follow the competition's semi-professional sister league, NBL1, which held its First Nations round earlier this year.

NBL owner Larry Kestelman said acknowledging the contributions of both past and present Indigenous players and coaches is of great importance to the League.

"It's nothing but positive, it's an important position for us to take," Mr Kestelman said.

"We love doing it and we're very proud of the contributions First Nations people have made to our league.

"We've got some amazing players and coaches and their history is great."

Mr Albanese commended the NBL on its Indigenous player incentive rule, where clubs are provides financial incentives to identify and sign Indigenous athletes.

We had some special guests at our Indigenous Round launch this morning, with Prime Minister @AlboMP throwing his support behind the NBL's First Nations reconciliation and education initiatives ⚫️🟡🔴#NBL23 Indigenous Round kicks off in Round 10 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rhOc0166G2
— The NBL (@NBL) November 29, 2022

"It's great that the NBL is backing up this round with the Indigenous players rule, the first of any code of such serious incentives," Mr Albanese said.

"I congratulate the NBL on its leadership encouraging clubs to recruit more First Nations talent."

Two players are currently contracted under the rule, Sydney Kings guard Biwali Bayles and the Illawarra Hawks guard William Hickey.

NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said the League's Indigenous Round is going from strength-to-strength.

"The impact of our Indigenous Round grows each year as the League increases its commitment to making a tangible and significant difference for First Nations people, and everyone's understanding and recognition of Indigenous cultures," Mr Loeliger said.

"These Rounds enable us to celebrate and recognise the contribution that First Nations people have made to the NBL and to basketball, and serve as a reminder to take a moment to reflect on the past and contemplate the future.

"All our clubs are continuing to engage with their local Indigenous communities and this is our time to highlight and showcase that work."

Held Rounds 10 through 12, all NBL franchises will wear Indigenous-themed jerseys designed by First Nations artists, paying tribute to the Country and community that each of the 10 NBL teams represent.

Throughout the Indigenous Rounds an Indigenous themed Spalding basketball designed by Kalkadoon artist Chern'ee Sutton will be used, featuring an NBL Indigenous painting.

Match referees will also wear Indigenous uniforms designed by Barada/Kabalbara Kyou woman Christina McPherson.

NBL Indigenous Rounds

Round 10

New Zealand Breakers vs Sydney Kings, Thursday December 8, 7:30pm at Spark Arena
Sydney Kings v Tasmania JackJumpers, Sunday December 11, 4:00pm at Qudos Bank Arena

Round 11

Cairns Taipans v Brisbane Bullets, Wednesday December 14, 7:30pm at Cairns Convention Centre
Melbourne United v South East Melbourne Phoenix, Thursday December 15, 7:30pm at John Cain Arena
Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings, Friday December 16, 7:30pm at Win Entertainment Centre
Perth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers, Friday December 16, 9:30pm at RAC Arena
Tasmania JackJumpers v Cairns Taipans, Saturday December 17, 5:30pm at Mystate Bank Arena
Adelaide 36ers v Brisbane Bullets, Sunday December 17, 8:00pm at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Sydney Kings, Sunday December 18, 2:00pm at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks, Sunday December 18, 4:00pm at John Cain Arena
Adelaide 36ers v Tasmania JackJumpers, Monday December 19, 7:30pm at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Cairns Taipans v Perth Wildcats, Tuesday December 20, 7:30pm at Cairns Convention Centre

Round 12