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Family theme behind Geraldton Buccaneers’ Indigenous uniforms for NBL1 West competition

ABC Mid West & Wheatbelt / By Natasha HarradinePosted Wed 7 Jul 2021 at 6:54amWednesday 7 Jul 2021 at 6:54am

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The Geraldton Buccaneers will wear an Indigenous-designed uniform for their clash this weekend as part of NAIDOC celebrations in the inaugural NBL1 West competition. 

Key points:

• NBL1 West is holding an Indigenous round to celebrate NAIDOC Week
• Teams around the league will wear special uniforms as part of the event
• The Geraldton Buccaneers will wear a design by Indigenous artist Charmaine Green who was inspired by the theme of family 

Buccaneers operations manager Nerolie Gerreyn said the artwork on the uniform was by Yamaji academic, poet and artist Charmaine Green.

“There’s a story behind the uniforms, that they acknowledge the First Nations people of Geraldton and a wider, family-orientated club being the Buccs,” Ms Gerreyn said.

“The Buccs are located in the Southern Yamaji Nation on the Mid West coast.

“You’ll see on our uniforms that there’s smaller circles, this represents the coming together of family, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous to become a Buccs family.

“There’s some blue on our uniforms, that represents the water around Geraldton and you’ll see lots of lines on our uniform which represent players, coaches and support staff travelling to Geraldton to become part of that Buccs family, and then also travelling around WA to participate in the NBL1 competition.”

Historic day

The chair of the Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation, Lenny Papertalk, has been a driving force for the recognition of Aboriginal contributions to basketball.

She helped developed the themes behind the design.

“This is historic for Aboriginal people, the First Nations people of Geraldton,” Ms Papertalk said.

“It’s around how [the Buccs] include everyone and make everyone feel part of the family.

“They acknowledge the community. They acknowledge the supporters and get behind supporters and community, so it’s the Buccs family.

“Everyone who wants to join the Buccs, you’re joining a family.”

Ms Papertalk said Aboriginal people were well-represented in the local competition, with many being inspired by elite players, including Richard Bartlett and Johnnie Narkle.

“Younger Aboriginal kids growing up, watching for example Richard, he’s got a little crowd that come and watch him play,” Ms Papertalk said.

She said it gave the younger generation a chance to see that, by playing a game they loved, they could become part of the sport’s family.

“It’s the same with the Geraldton Amateur Basketball Association and the Buccs, we’re all a part of a family in the basketball association, so you can be part of this family and work at it, and there are choices and there are pathways, but you’ve got to want it,” Ms Papertalk said.

‘Amazing’ recognition

After designing the new uniform, Ms Green greeted the team with a Welcome to Country and explained the meaning of the artwork at a training session. 

The event was also attended by Mark Micallef, who was only 17 when he became one of the first Indigenous players to join the team in 1990.

Mr Micallef has welcomed the recognition of the Indigenous round.

“It’s absolutely amazing,” he said.

“It’s so beneficial for the young players coming up just to see, I guess, their culture on display and being recognised and give them a goal that’s accessible for them.

“It’s more of awareness, too, to show that there are Aboriginal players out there with the talent to play and to give them a goal to go towards.”