When Western Australia lifted the National Indigenous Cricket Championships trophy on Sunday, they did it with returning tournament gun Dane Ugle celebrating alongside his son, Elijah, in their XI.

The winners weren't the only outfit featuring two generations of father-son talent.

The Ugles were joined in the tournament by fellow veteran and long-time bowlers' nightmare Pat Rosser and his son Jimmy, who together represented New South Wales.

Family ties aren't unfamiliar to cricket's elite Indigenous carnival, but for two of its big names the experience was made all the more special in 2026.

"I sort of have to pinch myself to think, 'hey, you're at a national cricket tournament with your young fella'," Dane Ugle told National Indigenous Times on playing with Elijah.

If Dane had been told at the start of the summer he'd be playing alongside his son in Mackay he wouldn't have believed it, the father added, saying it's all about taking in the moment and the opportunity the pair had over the week.

"It's been pretty special," Elijah Ugle said, both of his first time playing in the National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC), and being able to do so alongside his dad.

The tournament is no stranger to seeing more than one Ugle in the WA setup.

Uncles, cousins and other family — some Imparja Cup/NICC-experience amongst them, offered their advice for debuting at the next level to Elijah, he said.

Impressing again with bat and ball, Dane Ugle ended his trip with team of the tournament selection honours.

The NICC isn't the only parallel the Ugles and Rossers are sharing this season.

On separate sides of the country, both father-son pairings won top-grade club cricket premierships, with Waroona in WA's Peel region and Cudgen on the NSW Northern Rivers, respectively.

"We've spent the week away together, and he's, no doubt, learning a lot. I have to really stop and check myself, because it's bizarre, and it is really cool and something that I'm really proud of. I'm really proud of him for putting his best foot forward," Pat Rosser said about sharing the experience with son Jimmy.

"And it's a bit uncomfortable when you're a young fella coming into a sporting team that's always done really well, that's had a lot of pressure on them, and a lot of success. But I'm just a proud dad."

The more senior Rosser knows the feeling of being young around the group well. He first represented New South Wales in the state and territory of the then Imparja Cup in 2005.

Jimmy, 16, was similarly soaking it in.

"It's definitely a step up to what I've played. But the vibes and feeling around, it's good (to have) the culture as well as the cricket," he said.

"He just told me to enjoy myself and take it all in. It's pretty special to play with him. He said to take it all in, enjoy yourself and have fun," Jimmy added of his dad's advice ahead of the tournament."

Western Australia went on to celebrate top success at Great Barrier Reef Arena over Victoria in Sunday's final — led by a devastating unbeaten 83 (50) from Brock Larance — which capped a memorable year for firsts.

Papua New Guinea fielded side in the men's draw, with the Northern Territory celebrating their maiden NICCs win against South Australia after heartbreaking losses to the new inclusions, Queensland and eventual finalists Victoria.

In the women's draw, Victoria made history after securing their maiden title.

It's a triumph all the more meaningful and worth the wait after years lean of success, particularly for the players who've gone along on the journey for up to a decade, WBBL and WNCL keeper-batter Emma Manix-Geeves said.

The Tasmanian was back at the NICCs representing Victoria for the first time in six years.

"We beat New South Wales (in the round robin stage) for the first time ever the other day. That was a really special moment, to see some of those girls that have been involved in this team for five to 10 years," she said ahead of the final.

Victoria completed a faultless run, led by Mannix-Geeves and fellow pro Ella Hayward, who sealed tournament success with a 58-run victory over longtime tournament heavyweights NSW in the final.

The NICC is proving an important piece of the pathway for more representation at the elite level, Manix-Geeves said.

Bigger scores, clutch individual moments and a higher standard of play are becoming increasingly common, Manix-Geeves said.

"When I was playing six years ago, that was not happening," she said.

"I've been really impressed with the caliber of games this year. And I think it speaks volumes for the pathway. I think a few people have definitely put their hands up to be recognised."

Great Barrier Reef Arena will again host the National Indigenous Cricket Championships on Yuwibara Country in 2027.