JackJumpers celebrate NBL Indigenous Round

Tasmania JackJumpers recognize the traditional owners of the land on which we play, live and learn, the Tasmanian Aboriginal People and acknowledge their elders past, present and emerging.

Tasmania JackJumpers wore the club’s inaugural NBL Indigenous jersey with pride as they hosted New Zealand Breakers in the club’s first home game at the Launceston Silverdome.

Ahead of the game the entire playing group, coaching and front office staff were guided on a cultural awareness walk by Tasmanian Aboriginal artist Sharnie Read on country at piyura kitina (Risdon Cove).

Sharnie Read said “to have a team that wants to step up and help share the aboriginal cultural values and the wonderful history of our island, that’s an incredible opportunity.

“I feel like it’s a two-way stream here of being proud that I can share that but also having a team onboard to help share it and create a sense of community value around Tasmania’s history” Read said.

Head Coach Scott Roth said “For our first year it’s hugely important that we recognize and celebrate the Aboriginal history and culture here.  We got a chance to walk up the hill [at Risdon Cove] and understand the land and Sharnie explained the ancestry of the area”.

“Sharnie has done an amazing job of informing us and allowing us to learn about her space and her culture, and we’re proud to represent all Tasmanian people” Captain Clint Steindl said.

Read designed a visual story of the teamwork and hard work of the insect and how the team embodies those values for the JackJumpers inaugural Indigenous Round Jersey.

“The team working together to build their mounds to keep their nest safe and progress through the environment” Read explained.

The jersey shows palawa art, found on rock carvings across the state, some more than 14,000 years old.

The cultural symbols – known as petroglyphs – are made by using a traditional engraving practice to expose different colours beneath the rock surface, to create the ancient symbols.

“It also shows the rhythm of our connection to space and to country and the tracks through country and through symbols, that are highly recognizable by aboriginal people through our direct connection to our ancestors who created those symbols for thousands of generations” Read said.

“I’m really proud to have my design on the jersey and be a part of the whole [indigenous round] concept in promoting the aboriginal values in Tasmania and the community and the very deep and beautiful history of the island through such a wonderful avenue that is sport, basketball” Read said.

“The jersey looks fantastic and to be on country here it’s a significant step for us as a State team in our first year, to understand what has come before us and appreciate where we get to live and play” Roth said.

The JackJumpers wore the jersey in Round 14, where Sharnie Read also performed a stirring welcome to country prior to tip-off. A Tasmanian Aboriginal dance group led by Dave Mangenner Gough performed at half time of the game to a captive Silverdome crowd. JackJumpers defeated New Zealand Breakers 66-62 at the Silverdome in front of 3532 fans - a record crowd for an NBL game in Launceston.

The JackJumpers will wear the Indigenous Jersey again in Round 15 against Illawarra Hawks at MyState Bank Arena on March 13.