Photo Credit: BCCI
The KFC BBL will hold its inaugural First Nations Round from January 8-14, as the Big Bash reaffirms its commitment to deepening education and meaningful connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
The Sydney Sixers will play two matches during the round – the Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers presented by the NSW Government on Gumbainggir land at C.ex Coffs International Stadium in Coffs Harbour on January 9 and a fixture against the Melbourne Renegades on Wadawurrung land in Geelong two days later.
As was done in the Weber WBBL earlier in the year, the round will acknowledge, pay respect and celebrate the hundreds of First Nations and Traditional Custodians of the land and waters encompassing where we are privileged to live, work and play the great game of cricket on.
All teams will wear First Nations Round themed uniforms designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, each with their own unique stories connected to the traditional lands of each club.
At matches throughout the 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, an immersive experience for attendees at matches will be created including incorporation of local languages and traditions throughout the matchdays.
Sixers star all-rounder Dan Christian, a Wiradjuri man, said the BBL First Nations Round was a great step forward for cricket.
“It has taken 11 seasons for the BBL to bring in a First Nations Round but now the whole league and every club is well and truly behind it,” Christian said.
“It’s a great way to start a conversation, and encourage people to educate themselves on the culture and the history of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, and the land from which they come.
“It’s also a great opportunity for us to promote our sport to the Indigenous community.
“Hopefully we can inspire some young Aboriginal and Torres Strait kids to pick up a bat and a ball, and to head out into the backyard to try to imitate Ash Gardner or Scott Boland, and then hopefully one day, they’ll be able to follow in their footsteps.”
The round will commence with a blockbuster double header, with the Melbourne Renegades taking on the Sydney Thunder on the lands of the Wurundjeri people at Marvel Stadium before the Brisbane Heat play the Hobart Hurricanes on the lands of the Yugara people at The Gabba.
The round will conclude with the annual Jason Gillespie Trophy match between Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers on the lands of the Kaurna people at Adelaide Oval.
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 presented by the NSW Government, C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Gumbainggir
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
Tune in to every match of the KFC BBL|11 season on Seven and/or Foxtel, with matches also broadcast on Kayo, ABC Radio, SEN and cricket.com.au. Tickets are available at cricket.com.au/tickets.
