Across the league, the WNBL is celebrating Pride Round, reinforcing the league as a place of belonging, visibility and leadership - on and off the court.
All eight teams are hosting Pride Games as this round aims to reinforce that the WNBL is a league where players stand together and pride is celebrated across our community.
Last night, the UC Capitals kicked off Pride Round with a 67-61 in Adelaide over the Lightning. We got a firsthand on-court look at the Caps pride jerseys, and while the entire league will be wearing a similar look, the Caps piece has a deep history behind it.
2015-2016: The UC Caps become first major Australian sports team to wear a uniform promoting equality for the LGBTQI community
In 2015, prior to the start of the upcoming WNBL season, the Caps unveiled their new jerseys for the season, with the rainbow design prominently featured. It was special because it wasn’t just a one-off or something for a themed round, it was for the entire season.
“To be wearing it on our jersey for the entire season is something that nobody has done before,” said Caps star Lauren Jackson at that time.
“We are open, we are diverse, we are inclusive. It's pretty powerful.”
Carrie Graf, who was coaching the team that time, was overcome with emotion during the jersey unveiling. She had previously spoken about her sexuality and stressed that the jersey was about promoting equality and acceptance in the wider community.
“It's not about me, and it's not about my story, this is a bigger story than that,” Carrie said back then.
“It's about inclusiveness, equality, and it's about a basketball club which is highly successful, making a statement on and off the floor.”
2026: New generation of Caps rock new Pride Round jerseys
The year’s UC Caps debuted their version of Pride jerseys last night, in a win over the Adelaide Lightning. The rainbow colours once again featured on this year’s jersey, this time along the piping in the collar and arm holes – a nice subtle, but still prominent touch that complemented the trademark Caps blue. This year’s sets also included rainbow colours on the band of the shorts.
This year’s Pride round is focused on inclusion, a value that is at the forefront of this current group of Caps.
“It means that anyone, from anywhere, from any walk of life, wherever you come from, whatever you believe, you are welcome and encouraged to be in this environment,” said Isa Brancatisano.
The Caps will once again wear their 25/26 Pride Jerseys when they return home this Sunday to take on the Bendigo Spirit at the AIS Arena.
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