Big Bash clubs reveal First Nations kits

More Big Bash clubs have unveiled the new-look uniforms they will wear as the WBBL celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in this season's First Nations matches. 

Every club will host a dedicated match between November 5 and 24 showcasing First Nations culture and ceremony, including the barefoot circle, Welcome to Country and the incorporation of local languages.

Players will continue to wear uniforms designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, each with their own unique stories connected to the traditional lands of each club.

This season's First Nations round uniforms will be available for purchase HERE. 

WBBL|09 First Nations Round games

• Nov 5: Scorchers v Strikers, Whadjuk Country: WACA Ground
• Nov 10: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars, Cammeraygal Country: North Sydney Oval
• Nov 10: Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes, Cammeraygal Country: North Sydney Oval
• Nov 17: Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Renegades, Yugara Country: Allan Border Field
• Nov 19: Melbourne Renegades v Hobart Hurricanes, Boon Wurrung Country: CitiPower Centre
• Nov 19: Melbourne Stars v Brisbane Heat, Boon Wurrung Country: CitiPower Centre
• Nov 23: Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Renegades, Palawa Country: Blundstone Arena
• Nov 24: Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers, Kaurna Country: Adelaide Oval

Brisbane Heat

The Heat will champion the performances of Eddie Gilbert through their 2023-24 First Nations playing shirt design.

The playing strip is an evolution from the original First Nations Round playing strip as worn for the past two seasons.

This year’s design has a centrepiece in Heat colours on the front of the shirt that depicts the Brisbane Cricket Ground in Woolloongabba (“place of whirling water”.)

The dots and wavy lines represent the flowing waterholes.

There are 87 strokes that represent the first-class wickets taken by the trail-blazing Aboriginal great, Eddie Gilbert who played 23 games for Queensland in the 1930s.

The same design will feature on the brim of the Heat’s First Nations playing cap and on the sleeve of the playing shirts.

WBBL Heat batter Mikayla Hinkley, a proud Kunja woman, had a role in designing the First Nations Round playing shirt. She collaborated with Brisbane Indigenous artist, and close friend, Delores McDonald (“Aunty Delly”) to create the jersey.

The design also recognises the Brisbane River, with its abundance of foods, plus animal and human tracks, which is illustrated on the long sleeve versions of the shirt by the Rainbow serpent/snake. This motif represents both male and female players.

The back of the playing shirt contains a Circle representing the Gabba, with the lines radiating out from it illustrating the journeys the teams take to and from the ground. The ochre and red oxide circles signify the land on which the Gabba is located, a special place where all are included and welcome.

Melbourne Stars

The Stars’ shirt was designed by artist Sammy Trist, a Taungurun Women.

The gum leaves on the design represent the players, who are all on the same journey as a team, connected through strength and resilience irregardless of the outcome. The people represent the club as a family and the players as role models, while the water represents the Yarra and the bay and the Southern Cross the south-eastern sky.

Sydney Thunder

The Thunder’s playing strip design, created by local Yuin artist Rhe Lotter, features the Aboriginal symbol for people throughout, representing all players that wear the club colours.

The boomerangs show strength and resilience – the fighting spirit that is embodied throughout the club. 

The outside designs are for fans, sponsors, and community, proving that they hold the team firm and without them, the team wouldn’t be as strong. 

Hannah Darlington, a Kamilaroi woman and the current captain of Cricket Australia's Women's Indigenous team, said the coming together of all levels of cricket to celebrate First Nations Round showed how far the game had come in recent years.

"To have a dedicated cricket First Nations Round that recognises and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples from community level right through to the elite level is something, as an Aboriginal woman, that I am very proud of," Darlington said.

Hobart Hurricanes

The Hurricanes wore their new shirt against the Sixers at North Sydney Oval and will host their own First Nations match on November 23, with further details about their design to come.

Melbourne Renegades

The Renegades’ shirt was crafted by local artist Bayley Mifsud – known by her Aboriginal name Merindah-Gunya, meaning ‘Beautiful Spirit’ – a proud descendent of Peek and Kirrae Whurrong clans of the Maar nation from south-west Victoria (Warrnambool).

She was joined by Renegades' Ella Hayward, a proud Jawoyn woman, earlier this year and together they explored the significance of the design and what it should represent.

The result is a powerful symbol of unity, portraying 11 players coming together at a central meeting place: the cricket oval. It also symbolises the profound connection between the players and the land, underscoring the significance of the natural environment in Australia's Indigenous culture.

Sydney Sixers

Designed by Wiradjuri woman Lua Pellegrini, the Sixers shirt is reflective of their coastal region, with the ocean being a major centrepiece and representing the importance of the ocean to Indigenous clans up and down the coastline. The two circles in the centre of the shirt are the Sixers’ two homes, the Sydney Cricket Ground and C Ex. International Stadium in Coffs Harbour.

Adelaide Strikers

The Strikers and Scorchers will play for the Aunty Faith Thomas Trophy at Adelaide Oval on November 24, the first time the trophy has been played for since Aunty Faith passed away in April.

Adelaide's shirt is designed by Steven Warrior and captain Tahlia McGrath said her side was proud to wear a shirt full of meaning.

"There's so much detail in this shirt that highlights so much – for example, we've got the meeting place of Adelaide Oval, represented with the first 11 Indigenous male cricketers to represent Australia," she said.

"(One section) represents everyone's individual journey to get through to cricket and then on the back we've got some words in native Kaurna language which represents our values.

"There is so much going on in this shirt and there is so much meaning behind it and we are really proud to wear it."

Perth Scorchers

The Scorcher's shirt is designed by Nyoongar artist Linda Loo, a self-taught artist who was born in Corrigin and is connected to the Balladong and Whadjuk clans.

Scorchers captains Sophie Devine and Ashton Turner were also involved in the design process, and the shirt was presented to the WBBL team during a special smoking ceremony.

At the centre of the design is a swan representing the Boorloo (Perth) area, surrounded by lines and circles demonstrating the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) and lakes in the region.

The swan is surrounded by u-shapes, which represent players gathering in a barefoot circle before a match to acknowledge the traditional owners, respect the Boodja (country), and connect with Aboriginal culture.

Other elements of the intricate design tell the story of travel, the WACA Ground Improvement Project and cricket history.

"It's a fantastic design that's not only beautiful, but really impactful," Devine said.

"There are elements that illustrate each squad, but also tell the story of the bond that develops among teammates, the club and our members and fans."

Melbourne Stars, Hobart Hurricanes and Brisbane Heat will release their uniforms in the coming weeks. 

Weber WBBL|09 Standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Ties T	No results N/R	Net Run Rate NRR	Deductions Ded.	Total points PTS
1 Adelaide Strikers Women STR	14	11	3	0	0	1.154	0	22
2 Perth Scorchers Women SCO	14	8	6	0	0	0.784	0	16
3 Brisbane Heat Women HEA	14	8	6	0	0	0.203	0	16
4 Sydney Thunder Women THU	14	7	6	0	1	0.298	0	15
5 Sydney Sixers Women SIX	14	7	7	0	0	-0.253	0	14
6 Hobart Hurricanes Women HUR	14	6	7	0	1	-0.597	0	13
7 Melbourne Stars Women STA	14	6	8	0	0	-0.779	0	12
8 Melbourne Renegades Women REN	14	2	12	0	0	-0.978	0	4

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

T: Ties

N/R: No results

NRR: Net Run Rate

Ded.: Deductions

PTS: Total points