Indigenous Round Jerseys Capture Connection to Country

The Tasmania JackJumpers and Tasmania Jewels have today revealed the teams’ Indigenous Round jerseys, reflecting a captivating connection to country.  

The annual Indigenous Rounds will be celebrated in Round 10 of the NBL, with the JackJumpers to don the jersey on November 21 at home against the Illawarra Hawks.  

While the Jewels will wear their first ever Indigenous Round jersey in Round 6 of the WNBL, during their away game against the Canberra Capitals on November 22.

The jerseys feature flora and fauna from across Lutruwita (Tasmania), including kelp, abalone shells, rock formations, the Tasmanian Tiger, and mutton birds.  

The talented artist behind the designs is Carly Grey, a palawa woman who grew up on the Nort West Coast of the island state.  

Grey said the Tasmania JackJumpers jersey was designed to tell a story connected to Tasmanian Aboriginal culture and country.

“Flowing kelp forms the background, representing connection to sea, survival, and tradition. At the centre sits a meeting place symbol, representing community, gathering, and shared stories. Within this central space are nine pathways, representing that Tasmania traditionally had nine counties, symbolising journeys, connections, and the sharing of stories across places and people.

“Surrounding the design are rock carving (petroglyph) symbols, with nine markings to represent nine countries, acknowledging growth, experience, and achievement over time. Along the sides, nine Tasmanian tiger footprints run vertically, symbolising strength, identity, and connection to Lutruwita (Tasmania), while honouring the past.”

Grey said the Tasmania Jewels Jersey was designed to celebrate the enduring strength, culture and connection of the palawa people of Lutruwita.

“Throughout the artwork, the number nine is intentionally repeated to honour the nine traditional countries of Lutruwita prior to colonisation, recognising the diversity and resilience of Tasmania's First Peoples,” Grey said.  

“On the front of the jersey, nine figures appear on each side, representing not only the players, but also the wider Tasmanian Jewels community, including coaches, staff, volunteers, supporters and everyone who contributes to the team's journey.

“Running along both sides of the jersey are waterways, connected by nine abalone shells. Abalone shells were traditionally used by palawa women, and still used today, to mix ochre for ceremony and cultural practices. The waterways acknowledge that palawa people are saltwater people, reflecting our deep and ongoing connection to Country, sea and waterways.”

The Indigenous Round is an opportunity to celebrate and recognise Tasmania’s and Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

Fans can share in the round by wearing the jersey at game days and beyond.

An expression of interest process will open in coming weeks to select an artist to design next season’s Indigenous Round Jerseys for the Tasmania JackJumpers and Jewels, more details will be provided soon.  

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