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Melbourne United is excited to once again proudly embrace and take part in the NBL’s Indigenous Round.
Melbourne United will wear their new bespoke Indigenous jerseys across their pair of Round 11 games against the SEM Phoenix on 15 December and the Illawarra Hawks on 18 December.
Melbourne United CEO Nick Truelson touched on the importance of celebrating our connection to the land and community through this round.
"Our purpose at Melbourne United is to use the power of basketball to enrich the lives of our community, and this includes a strong focus on inclusion and diversity,” he said.
“The NBL’s Indigenous Round has become a very important and special round on the NBL schedule to not only help shine a light on Indigenous playing talent, artists, programs and communities but also to educate all Australians on Indigenous culture.
“We have a lotto learn as a team and as a league about Indigenous culture and we look forward to learning more from fantastic Indigenous leaders in the lead up to the round and during it.”
These sentiments echoed those of NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger.
“The impact of our Indigenous Round grows each year as the League increases its commitment to making a tangible and significant difference for First Nations people, and everyone’s understanding and recognition of Indigenous cultures,” NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.
“These Rounds enable us to celebrate and recognize the contribution that First Nations people have made to the NBL and to basketball, and serve as a reminder to take a moment to reflect on the past and contemplate the future.
“The NBL continues to prioritize and focus, through its Reconciliation Action Plan, on ways to create new and sustainable opportunities for Indigenous players at the elite level. The plan will keep evolving and strengthening, with the NBL constantly striving to be a safe and supportive space for all First Nations people.
“All our clubs are continuing to engage with their local Indigenous communities and this is our time to highlight and showcase that work.”
Games will commence with either a Welcome to Country or an Acknowledgement of Country. Members of Indigenous communities will be invited to games along with otherinitiatives.
An Indigenous themed Spalding basketball will be used, featuring an NBL Indigenous painting created by artist, Chern’ee Sutton.
Referees will also wear Indigenous uniforms, which have been designed by Christina McPherson, a proud Barada/Kabalbara Kyou(woman).
