Renai Fejo says NAIDOC week is her favourite time of year

In the Coles Express NBL1 Show, Woodville Warrior Renai Fejo joined the show ahead of the First Nations Round to speak about her Indigenous pride and love of NAIDOC week. She was born in the Northern Territory and is a proud Larrakia, Ngalakan and Jawoyn woman. 

To read more about the First Nations Round, click here. 

Co-hosts Megan Hustwaite and Peter Hooley asked her what this week and round means to her.

“NAIDOC week is my favourite time of the year, you get to recognise all our black excellence across the nation,” she said. 

“It’s amazing to see what our First Nations mob is doing across the board … being an athlete myself, being able to be recognised and help the younger generation come through. Seeing those young one recognise you on the street is really uplifting. 

“It’s powerful purely because I used to be that young person. Looking up to Patty Mills, my all-time favourite. Also like Ally Wilson, who I play against now. Although we are very similar in age, I always looked up to her. Even now I still fangirl over Abby Cubillo, it’s just incredible seeing all that come through.”

Hustwaite asked how Renai has seen the concept of an Indigenous Round or First Nations Round has grown each year, with it becoming standards across most sports leagues in Australia. 

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“Each year it has become more and more recognised and a part of the league or sport,” Fejo said. 

“I played in Big V last year and seeing how it grew and how its grown [In the NBL1] this year. A lot of teams have stepped up and been involved, getting their First Nations athletes on the team involved in what they do.” 

Fejo said that Indigneous participation has increased in basketball over the past few years, and it’s something she really takes pride in. 

“I’ve noticed here in Adelaide a lot more young ones are playing in the district league, it’s incredible” she said. 

“When I was that age there were not that many playing, which is really good to see there’s more pathways coming through.” 

To watch the full interview, see the Coles Express NBL1 Show on Kayo, Facebook and YouTube. 

Feature image via Picture It Sport Photography