In an unprecedented move for Australian sport, Geelong's top basketballers will wear an Indigenous jersey across the entire 2023 season in what could be a permanent change.
No professional or semi-professional sporting clubs have adopted a specially-designed Indigenous uniform as its only strip outside of Indigenous rounds, and it follows a push from the Australian 50-over and T20 national cricket teams to adopt a unique First Nations kit.
Two Geelong Supercats NBL1 and four Geelong United Big V teams will wear the navy blue designs after entering a landmark collaboration with the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative in February.
Geelong United Basketball regional association that is behind the national and state league entities decided on the progressive change to pay respect to the traditional owners of the land all year round, and not just in Indigenous competition rounds.
The official announcement was made during the season launch.
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-op chief executive Simon Flagg, a Wemba Wemba man, was proud of the partnership with the regional basketball organisation, which openly recognises the Kulin nation and the country Djilang sits on before colonialism.
"The philosophy is the same, I guess, for both organisations, we both just want to connect within our community," he said.
"We want to ensure our community has every opportunity and Geelong have been great in providing that."
The new uniform initiative will also be observed in the association's junior male and female local competitions.
Geelong United head of sponsorship and marketing Connie Bolger believed the design was reflective of how the organisation was inclusive of all cultures.
"The uniforms are now being worn by our NBL1 teams all the way down to our under 12 teams, which really showcases the all-year round connection with uniting our community, as well as being able to show that representation at all levels," she said.
Indigenous artist David Flagg designed the First Nations jersey after feeling honoured to be given the opportunity to represent the Supercats with an initial design last year.
The founding club of the inaugural NBL in 1979 first wore Indigenous jerseys back in 2012 in an initially one-off design during NAIDOC Week.
"Being able to get that reconnection back to our youth is a really big thing here," the 28-year-old said.
"I like to use my designs to tell stories as well – it's not just generic art. I like to tell a story of the connection to community and really help drive change."
The NBL1 men and women will debut the new uniforms on April 1 against Kilsyth.
