UC Capitals celebrate Indigenous history for home opener

This Saturday’s UC Capitals home opener will also be part of the WNBL’s annual Indigenous round.  

The round highlights the powerful connection between basketball and First Nations communities, with every club proudly wearing jerseys designed by local Indigenous artists, telling stories that honour heritage, identity, and the shared spirit of the game.

For a third season running, the UC Capitals are deeply honoured to collaborate with Ngunnawal artist Richard Allan, a proud Ngunnawal man, to create a jersey that is far more than fabric and thread. It is a tapestry of heritage, identity, and connection to Country.‍

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Jersey design story

This year’s Indigenous Round uniform is a celebration of the land we play and train on, Ngunnawal Country, and the rich cultural roots of Monique Bobongie.

Woven into the design is the sacred totem, the wedge-tailed eagle, a symbol of strength and vision shared by both the Ngunnawal people and Monique’s Mununjali family from Beaudesert, Brisbane.

The dolphin represents Monique’s Badtjala heritage from K’gari (Fraser Island), while the stingray is a proud emblem of her family from the Moa and Badu Islands in Kaurareg (Torres Strait Islands) and her South Sea Islander lineage from Malaita in the Solomon Islands.

The two sea creatures glide alongside traditional patterns that speak to the power and grace of the women who wear this jersey and the Country they represent.

Every detail, crafted by Richard, tells a story of resilience, belonging, and pride. Each time the team steps onto the court, they carry those stories with them, wearing the words NGUNNAWAL COUNTRY on their shoulders.

Those words also appear on the team’s home and away jerseys this season so that the Caps can celebrate local culture every time they play, at home or away.

This Indigenous Round celebrates Ngunnawal Country, First Nations culture, and Monique Bobongie, whose story is stitched into every thread.

Custom sneakers

In addition to the jerseys, Caps stars Nyadiew Puoch, Jade Melbourne, and Mon Bobongie will also wear special playing sneakers featuring customised artwork by Richard.  

The shoes will be auctioned off with proceeds, along with proceeds from the sales of this year’s Indigenous jerseys, going directly to the Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (TOAC).

Special performances

Olivia Coe Fox, the first contestant in The Voice Australia to sing in Aboriginal language, will perform her rendition of We Are Australian in Yawuru language, accompanied by Neenan Simpson on the didgeridoo.

Around the arena

Come down to the AIS Arena early and enjoy our new and exciting gameday experience which again includes TOAC’s Cultural Sound. As part of this round, we will also have an Indigenous themed halftime activation as well as Indigenous sounds throughout the evening.  

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UC Capitals vs Townsville Fire
WNBL26 Indigenous Round  
AIS Arena, 7pm 25 October
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