The ACT Meteors have become the first Women's National Cricket League side to wear a First Nations-designed playing uniform.
The uniform has been designed by Canberra-based artist and proud Wiradjuri woman Kalara Gilbert.
Following the recent completion of the WBBL season, the strip was debuted in the Meteors first home game of the season after the resumption of the WNCL competition.
Ms Gilbert said she was thrilled to have been invited to participate in the project.
"I'm extremely proud of the piece I've created for Cricket ACT and can't wait to see the Meteors take the field in these beautiful shirts," Ms Gilbert said.
Ms Gilbert is a strong supporter of community-based and women's sports, having previously designed an Indigenous kit for Netball ACT whilst witnessing first-hand how sporting experiences benefit community members.
Today we launched the Meteors First Nations playing strip, which the team will wear this weekend v SA, and in all remaining WNCL home games this summer.
We're really proud of the design and what it means, and particularly the way the team has driven the process. pic.twitter.com/Dj3Ld8Sa4u
— Cricket ACT (@CricketACT) December 16, 2022
"Sport is a great equaliser, where different sections of the community are able to come together as equals and a place where raw talent goes a long way," Ms Gilbert said.
"I've witnessed the positive impact sport has on its participants, their community and all those involved.
"My own children have been involved in sports for many years and I love to support sporting initiatives wherever I can."
The uniform was created with the Meteors and the ACT cricket community at its core, whilst incorporating the centrepiece of the Meteors new First Nations logo, the Gang-gang cockatoo.
Ms Gilbert said the design is representative of landmarks and fauna synonymous with the Territory landscape, including Lake Burley Griffin, the Brindabella Range and Gang Gang cockatoos.
"My inspiration came from Country," Ms Gilbert said.
A special moment for our Meteors pre-game, with board member Dixie Crawford in the rooms to speak around the significance of the First Nations playing shirt.
SA have won the toss and will bat first at Manuka, when play gets underway at 10am.#WNCL pic.twitter.com/4FcD82plAR
— Cricket ACT (@CricketACT) December 17, 2022
"I like to wait for the image to come to me and paint what I see based on my surroundings, rather than thinking about something or imagining something.
"Cricket ACT chose the bright and beautiful colours and then I used acrylic paints to paint my designs on the shirts."
Proud Barkindji woman and Cricket ACT Board member Dixie Crawford has been working closely with Cricket ACT over the past few months to develop the governing body's first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Ms Crawford said the Meteors home playing shirt was an important first step in Cricket ACT's reconciliation journey.
"This artwork tells an important story about our Meteors and cricket in the Nation's capital and region," Ms Crawford said.
"Kalara has done a magnificent job of telling the story of team, organisation, and cricket community, including representation of our 11 players within a team, the travel lines of our players from different states, Lake Burley Griffin, The Brindabellas, and family always watching and supporting our players.
With the aim of building greater understanding of Indigenous perspectives within the ACT cricket community whilst highlighting the cultural capability and insight into First Nations lived experiences, Ms Crawford said the uniform accurately reflects the direction of the organisation's RAP.
"First Nations peoples engage in storytelling through the arts, paintings, dance and song," Ms Crawford said.
"This artwork is much more than just paint on a canvas and a shirt, it tells our story through the eyes of First Nation's peoples and our connection to cultural identity and spirituality.
"The artwork on the player's shirts will also be the artwork that is used within our Reflect RAP and it is a piece we are extremely proud of and excited to unveil and see our players wearing on the field."
The Meteors wore the First Nations uniform in two recent WNCL matches against South Australia, and will wear them in all remaining home games in Canberra this summer.
