Flyers to wear Indigenous Uniform in Tasmania

February 23, 2022 | Southside Flyers news

Saturday will be an historic day for basketball with Southside Flyers not only taking the WNBL back to Tasmania, but the team will wear a special Indigenous strip.

The special playing strip was designed by proud Ngarrindjeri woman, Emma Stenhouse, and the team will wear the uniform against Bendigo Spirit at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart, with tip-off at 5:00pm.

Purchase tickets to the historic game in Hobart and join Emma who will be at the game to see the team wearing the strip she designed after spending time with the team.

“The uniform was designed by Emma after she spent time with the team late last year and we are proud to have the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the Indigenous communities’ contributions, not only to basketball, but to our lives,” said Flyers coach Cheryl Chambers.

Artist Emma Stenhouse designed the uniforms and said the artwork is a reflection on the values the team holds within. After spending time with the team, Emma created the design and says it is based on “Sisterhood”.

“This artwork is a reflection on the values the team holds within. The Unity, the care, support and nurturing they provide each other. Being role models for girls and young women to aspire to, the women of the Southside Flyers influence us to chase our dreams, work hard and be positive role models for those around us – just as the women in the team do. ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’.

 The Southside Flyers have created a family, which includes players, support staff and of course the coaches who provide incredible leadership. We are all privileged to be a part of the Southside Flyers Family. Their connection to each other and to those of us who support them is what makes the team so special.”

The artwork shows the journey of the team together, with the women lining the journey. The meeting place represents home – the stadium and gathering place for the team and supporters. The group of circles on the top right represents a camp, with two rows of peoples surrounding – this reflects the teaching and sharing that the team does with each other and the development of future players. Bottom left are three lines with waves in them representing the travel the team does, and their travel over to Tasmania. The circles with the three lines joining them show connection – to each other and to us. The colours used in this piece represent the Colours of the Southside Flyers.

A Welcome to Country will be performed by Merinda Sainty prior to the game as part of the paying of respect to the traditional owners of the land where the game is being played, the Muwinina people.

While the WNBL will now officially hold their Indigenous Round during Round 13, the Flyers will wear the Indigenous uniform this round in keeping with the original schedule and to support the story behind the design which includes the travel to Tasmania where the team is playing in round 12.

Emma Stenhouse Acknowledgement

I am a proud Ngarrindjeri woman, with strong links to the Gunditjmara people of Warrnambool.

I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where this artwork was created, the Peek Whuurrong people of the Marr Nation, an pay my respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

I recognise them and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land, which is important to all of the Mar Nation people living today.

I acknowledge the Elders of the Ngarrindjeri people who have given me support in my journey as I recognise who I am as a Ngarrindjeri women and Artist.