By BACT MEDIA UNIT – 28 JUNE 2022

Basketball ACT will join NAIDOC Week celebrations being held across Australia to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in our sport and community.

NAIDOC Week, celebrated from 3-10 July 2022, provides an opportunity to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.  In 2022, Basketball ACT will feature dedicated Indigenous/First Nations rounds across juniors, Premier League and the NBL1 East competitions.  Featuring a smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country, cultural dance performances, face-painting, a dedicated display and other activities.

Dates of the dedicated Indigenous Rounds/First Nations are:

  • 1-3 July – Junior Indigenous Round;
  • 6 July – Premier League Indigenous Round;
  • 9-10 July – Coles Express NBL1 East First Nations Round

The return of the Warriors Basketball Club’s NAIDOC Tournament is also a highlight of Basketball ACT’s NAIDOC Week.  With competition across three grades, in age groups from under 10 to under 21, in male and female divisions, the 2022 NAIDOC Tournament, will be contested at Belconnen Basketball Stadium and Tuggeranong Southern Cross Stadium on the weekend of 8-10 July 2022.

Indigenous Round t-shirts, that acknowledge and celebrate Basketball ACT’s Indigenous-owned/Supply Nation sponsors and partners, will also be available to purchase, with proceeds going towards Basketball ACT’s Indigenous Participation Programs.

When discussing the importance of NAIDOC Week in the Basketball ACT calendar, General Manager – Operations, Nicole Bowles said “Basketball ACT and our Member Clubs share an ongoing commitment to a journey of healing and reconciliation.  As a community we strive to show our connection and commitment to the themes of NAIDOC Week, through our club uniforms, BACT representative and NBL1/Waratah uniforms, that heavily feature elements of our “Healing Together” artwork.  The opportunity to support and celebrate our indigenous players, coaches, families, sponsors and partners, through the year, and in particular during NAIDOC Week, forever remains an honour to the BACT community.  We look forward to seeing our basketball family come together at our ceremonies, competitions and activities.”

Tickets for the Coles Express NBL1 East First Nations Round are available now via INTIX.