Bendigo Spirit Indigenous Round 13 – Colours of the game
We pay respect to the traditional and original owners of this land the Muwinina people, to those that have passed before us and to acknowledge today’s Tasmanian Aboriginal people who are the custodians of this land.
Bendigo Spirit will launch their Indigenous Round celebrations on Wednesday 2nd March at the MyState Bank Arena in Hobart for Round 13.
Players will be wearing specially designed jerseys and shorts from artist Tamara May Murray, titled ‘the only colours we know are the colours of the game’.
About the jersey
The artwork depicts the essence of basketball and the unity of the game that brings us all together.
The semi-circle in the top corner of the artwork visualises a team facing the court. The different layers in the semi-circle represent the individual players that make up the team.
The centre circle represents the basketball court, a communal space where players come together as equals to compete and play the game in unity.
The yellow connection lines emanating from the centre of the court acknowledge that basketball is truly a team sport – not only in relation to the players and spectators, but all the people across our sport supporting and coming together to make the great game happen.
The gateway at the bottom of the piece represents the many opportunities that basketball creates – individuals coming together as a team, working in partnership through the highs and lows to achieve success together. The opportunity to make friends, to improve health and fitness, and to jointly fight to make their team, fans and supporters proud.
“Indigenous round is a great opportunity to highlight the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people have made to basketball in Australia,” Ngarrindjeri woman Ally Wilson said.
“It is important to me and my people because it provides an opportunity to work towards a better understanding of Indigenous culture and reconciliation. “
About the artist
The artist, Tamara May Murray, is a proud member of the Barkindji and Maraura tribe on her mother’s side, the Yorta Yorta and Dhudaroah tribes on her father’s side.
She grew up on the Namatjira Mission in the small country town of Coomealla.
“Culture is everything to me, it’s a way of life, it’s my identity, it’s who I represent – my people, my family. Culture is our way of healing, telling stories, keeping spirits and traditions alive. It’s our connection to the land.”
For Tamara, her art is not simply paint on a canvas. It’s a story; it’s a place; it’s someone she has met along the way that has inspired her. It’s a deep connection to the land and her culture. It is a story that has been passed down.
“I want my art to help break down barriers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. I hope I can help educate and contribute to a more peaceful world where our children can all walk as one, hand in hand, no matter their skin colour or cultural identity.”
We are proud to be able to commemorate the occasion with Tasmanian fans.
Join us at Wednesday’s game in Hobart! Purchase tickets here: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=BENTAS22
Image: Getty Images