The Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers will play for the Jason Gillespie Trophy. (Photo: BBL/Twitter)
The BBL has launched its inaugural First Nations Round from January 8-14, which will acknowledge, pay respect to, and celebrate the traditional custodians of the lands the great game of cricket is played on.
Games will be played on the lands of the Wurundjeri people at Marvel Stadium and Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Wadawurrung people at GMHBA Stadium, the Gunbainggir people at C.ex Coffs International Stadium, the Kaurna people at Adelaide Oval, and the Yugara people at the Gabba.
The round will commence with a double header, with the Melbourne Renegades hosting the Sydney Thunder on the land of the Wurundjeri people at Marvel Stadium before the Brisbane Heat play the Hobart Hurricanes on the land of the Yugara people at the Gabba.
D’Arcy Short, a proud Mitakoodi man and Hobart Hurricanes batter said he can’t wait to be a part of the competition’s first-ever First Nations Round and hopes it continues in the future.
“I’m excited to be able to play in the BBL’s first First Nations Round this year,” Short said.
“It’s great that our sport and the League has got to this point, and hopefully we can keep the tradition going in BBL seasons to come.”
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Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues Alistair Dobson said the League was happy with the launch of the inaugural First Nations Rounds in WBBL|07, and wanted to continue that in the BBL.
“The League was proud to launch our inaugural First Nations Rounds throughout WBBL|07 and will continue to celebrate and honour First Nations people and cultures throughout First Nations Round in the BBL,” he said.
“We are thankful for our Indigenous players in both the BBL and WBBL and we are proud to see them play an important role as role models for young Indigenous cricketers throughout Australia.
“We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of all the lands on which cricket is played and especially thank those who are hosting us for our First Nations Rounds.”
The round will conclude with the annual Jason Gillespie Trophy match between the Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers on the lands of the Kaurna people at Adelaide Oval.
All teams will wear First Nations Round themed uniforms designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, each illustrating their own unique stories connected to the traditional lands of each club.
Similar to the WBBL’s First Nations Round, at the matches across First Nations Round, the League and clubs will also showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and ceremonies. Along with the barefoot circle, Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony will provide an immersive experience for attendees.
KFC BBL|11 First Nations Round Fixture:
January 8, 6:05pm AEDT: Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Thunder, Marvel Stadium, Wurundjeri
January 8, 7:30pm AEST: Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes, Gabba, Yugara
January 9, 7:15pm AEDT: Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers, C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Gunbainggir
January 10, 2:10pm AEDT: Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Wurundjeri
January 10, 7:15pm AEDT: Melbourne Stars v Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Wurundjeri
January 11, 2:10pm AEDT: Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars, GMHBA Stadium, Wadawurrung
January 11: 7:15pm AEDT: Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Sixers, GMHBA Stadium, Wadawurrung
January 12, 6:15pm AEST: Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers, Gabba, Yugara
January 13, 3:45pm AEDT: Sydney Thunder v Hobart Hurricanes, Marvel Stadium, Wurundjeri
January 13, 7:35pm AEDT: Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars, Marvel Stadium, Wurundjeri
January 14, 10:10am ACDT: Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Oval, Kaurna
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