With the NBL1's First Nations Round taking place this weekend, make sure to see the beautiful designs across the country and the meanings behind them below:
Albury-Wodonga Bandits
Artist: John Murray
Story:
Newcastle Falcons
Artist: DHIYAAN ART
Story: 'COMMUNITY '
This artwork represents the power of community proudly working together, where individuals come together to support and uplift another.
The people symbols and bustling skyline, adorned with beautiful stars symbolise the interconnectedness and guidance that exists within a unified community.
We are always stronger together.
Central Coast Crusaders
Artist: Jenni McEwen
Jenni McEwen is a Bundjalung woman of the Northern Rivers in New South Wales living on Darkinjung country Central Coast New South Wales.
Her practice reflects the language, stories, art, song and dance of her ancestral Elders. As a proud Aboriginal woman Jenni's artmaking conveys an appreciation of the beauty of our traditional land.
Using a symbolic language of totems and traditional dreaming she conveys her spiritual path.
Jenni completed her Bachelor of Creative Arts in 2013 at Deakin University in Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria.
Story: Playing on Country.
The centre and symbols of this artwork represents the basketball and the 12 team members (players) surrounding it. Colours represent land/country. The artwork expresses/represents the players coming together to compete on Darkinjung Country.
Canberra Nationals & Gunners
Artists: Basketball ACT’s Indigenous Game Development Program (IGDP) participants
Story:
Central Coast Crusaders
Artist: Jenni McEwen
Story:
An evolution of the Central Coast Crusaders’ 2023 First Nations Round uniform, the 2024 design keeps with the elements of ‘Playing on Country’ – an artwork by talented Bundjalung woman and artist, Jenni McEwen.
Now living on Darkinjung country, and one of the artists featured in the KARI Shop, McEwen’s artmaking conveys immense pride and appreciation of the beauty of her traditional land; a knowledge which she actively passes on to others (including younger generations).
Her practice reflects the language, stories, art, song and dance of her ancestral Elders. Using a symbolic language of totems and traditional dreaming, she conveys her spiritual path.
The ‘Playing on Country’ motif is the prominent blue centrepiece of the design, representing the basketball used to play the game that unites the Crusaders’ community. The symbols surrounding the blue centrepiece convey the 12 players on a team.
The colours on the design represent land and country, as the artwork tells a story of the Central Coast players coming together to compete on Darkinjung Country.
Inner West Bulls
Artist: Tylah Mundine
Story:
The Inner West Bulls 2024 First Nations Round uniform was created by team member, proud Bundjalung woman and artist Tylah Mundine.
Born and raised on Gadigal Land with family connections in Baryulgil country, Mundine has experience developing work in the First Nations social impact space, creating data visuals that are understood clearly by both community and external identities.
In recent years, she skewed her abilities to jersey design, designing multiple pieces for NBL1, NSW Rugby League Koori Knockout, Christian Brothers High School Lewisham, Petersham Rugby Union Football Club and Australia Rugby 7’s.
“As an Aboriginal woman, I’m well aware of the importance of storytelling, especially in a cultural context. I aim to honour and amplify stories through digital art and visuals in order to facilitate transformative understandings,” Mundine states of her artistry motto.
The white and red dots positioned at the base and top of the jersey represent all individuals who come through the Inner West Bulls community whilst on their basketball journey, displaying the grassroots approach through diversity, inclusivity and ongoing support.
The arches with intertwined red and white dots symbolize the integration of these individuals into the foundation of the Bulls. The solid lines between these dots highlight the friendships formed both on and off the court. Naturally, these invaluable connections contribute to the overall growth and love for the game.
The centre circle represents the Inner West Bulls club itself, highlighting board members, employees, and coaches who work tirelessly outside of their day-to-day to keep operations at their best. As a young club, this centrepiece embodies the drive to continually strive for increased participation, competitiveness, and the pursuit of excellence.
The smaller circles around the centre represent families who are part of Inner West Bulls community, who are often involved in the club at different capacities. Some families have members who represent the club, others attend games in support, while others may volunteer in their spare time. Although there are many ways people give back to the club and the game, each and every role requires commitment and reflects the loyalty and selflessness of the Bulls community.
The red and white rivers showcase the pathways and interconnectedness between the Inner West Bulls, their families, players, employees, volunteers, and coaches. It’s crucial to recognize that everyone is involved in a collective effort which enables the Inner West basketball community to flourish now, and into the future.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Artist: Jess Hopcroft (Dhiiyaan Art)
Story:
Sutherland Sharks
Artist: Rheanna Lotter
Story:
The Sutherland Sharks unveiled their 2024 First Nations Round uniform, which falls nothing short of a magnificent work of art.
The Sharks worked with artist Rheanna Lotter, a proud Yuin woman and founder of Ngandabaa Aboriginal Art, as well as their official uniform supplier iAthletic, to develop the uniforms – a stunning representation of art and culture.
Titled “Sharks,” the artwork signifies the connection of Sutherland Sharks Basketball and the community it has fostered.
Their meeting place is their home, where they come together each week. Water is what connects and grounds the Sharks, symbolised by the waterholes – which pay tribute to the local environment.
Throughout the artwork, a ripple effect is seen – as the Sutherland community creates change, promotes progress and sticks together when things get tough; they never break.
The boomerangs and spears are symbolic of the their strength and resilience throughout partaking in a sport that they dedicate plentiful time and passion to.
The ‘U’ shapes represent the people that surround their meeting place; such as all the players, staff and volunteers. There are smaller people in the background, which represent the pathways offered through the sport, as well as their future players (displaying ‘the Dreaming,’ a complex concept embodying the non-linear and cyclical nature of the past, present and future, which allows for the passing on of rich Aboriginal cultural heritage).
Together, the Sharks are a community – forever growing, aspiring and succeeding as one – an essential theme communicated through the uniform.
General Manager, Adrian Dark, said that he is “so proud of this artwork, its meaning and the connection it represents to our club, people and greater community. Rheanna has done an amazing job of capturing who we are, and what we represent here at the Sutherland Sharks. I’m sure all our players will be equally as proud to wear this uniform and represent their community.”
