FOLLOWING a hotly contested competition, in which the Shoalhaven Basketball Association had seven designs submitted, they have chosen the jerseys all three Waratah League Tigers teams will wear for their inaugural Indigenous round on Saturday, July 6.
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After a successful pink round for the Australian Breast Cancer Foundation in 2018, the SBA decided to run an Indigenous round to recognised the rich history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders they have had over the years, including David Bloxsome, Gregory Seymour, James Stewart and Jodie Wellington (nee Wright).
And after making a call out to the community to design the jerseys, they have decided to go with the impressive style of Bomaderry's Desley Stewart.
"We had seven really strong applications but Desley's was a standout," SBA committee member and youth men's coach Scott Balsar said.
"Her design met our entire brief, incorporating the natural culture, landscape and significance of Indigenous people in the Shoalhaven.
"The jersey have the black cockatoo on the black, which is Aboriginal for Nowra.
"It also includes both Bomaderry (Bundaberra), which means fighting ground and running water, and Culunghutti Mountain, which is splendid view - so it ticked all the boxes."
All three Kennedy's Tours Tiger team will where the jerseys at the final triple header at the Den in 2019 on July 6, to coincide with NAIDOC week (July 7-14).
On the day, Glen Mustapic's division one women's team will take on Goulburn from 4pm, while both Balsar youth men and Ian Ozolins' division one men will battle Illawarra, from 2pm and 6pm respectively.
"With us playing Illawarra in both the men's matches, we have been in discussions with them about also wearing Indigenous jerseys - ones that replicate the ones worn by the Illawarra Hawks' NBL side.
"As they have former Tiger Kieren Corbyn and Australian Indigenous Basketball president and team captain Tyson Demons in their division one men's team, they have been really supportive of the day and are going to do what they can to support the event."
The massive day at the Tigers Den will also include Indigenous dancers from both Bomaderry High and Public Schools, as well as a didgeridoo player and Welcome to Country ceremony.
There will also be three Indigenous match balls up for auction, which will go live closer to the event.
If you're interested in purchasing any special Indigenous Tigers gear, visit: https://www.soulsports.com.au/Shoalhaven_Basketball