Stories behind the WNBL27 Indigenous Round jerseys

The WNBL's Indigenous Round will be held during Round 6 during the 2026-27 season.

Every club's jersey has a unique story, with all the details explained below once revealed by each team.

Artist: Micah Graham-Ryan.

Artist bio: Micah Graham-Ryan is a Kaurna, Narungga and Ngarrindjeri man living in Adelaide. He is 17 years old and a student at the Aboriginal Basketball Academy.

Micah enjoys creating art because it helps him connect to his culture in a creative way. Micah chose to title his artwork ‘Connection through Knowledge and Land’ to represent this.

Artwork name: Connection through Knowledge and Land.

Jersey design story: The colours I’ve decided to go with are equal parts orange, purple and light purple because they are the Adelaide Lightning colours.

I have chosen the Kaurna shield because it holds great significance and meaning to Kaurna culture and resembles strength and identity.

Through the shield are five different concentric circles, these represent the five different championships and the players within that team during those seasons.

I have used kangaroo, emu and boomerang symbols because they have a deep connection to land.

The stars exhibited at the top of the design represent people while the dots represent the who have passed knowledge down through generations.

The meeting places surrounding the Kaurna shield in the middle signify the stadiums and teams that the Adelaide Lightning compete against.

On the back of the jersey, around the number are dots which resemble the club as a whole and the people behind it.

Finally, the circle represents the past Adelaide Lightning players who have worn the jersey before.

Jersey to be revealed in coming days.

Jersey to be revealed in coming days.

Artist: Aaron ‘Jungari’ Sutton.

Artist bio: Jungari is a proud Aboriginal artist whose work carries deep cultural ties to Country, family and community.

Born and raised on Warumungu Country in the Northern Territory, his heritage extends across the Roper River region, with family connections reaching from the Central Desert to Arnhem Land.

Carrying forward the knowledge and traditions of his ancestors, Jungari was taught the practice of traditional painting by his father, Jabaljarri.

His works embody both cultural continuity and personal expression — honouring the stories, symbols and spirit of his people while speaking to his own journey as an artist.

Through his art, Jungari shares a living connection to Country and kinship, offering a powerful expression of identity, belonging and resilience.

Each piece is more than a personal statement; it is a thread in an enduring cultural legacy, carried forward and kept alive for the generations still to come.

Artwork name: Our Journey Continues.

Jersey design story: Our Journey Continues celebrates the ongoing journey of the Perth Lynx, honouring the past, embracing the present, and inspiring the future.

At the centre of the artwork is a gathering place representing the Perth Lynx community. It symbolises the club as a place of connection where players, supporters, families and future generations come together through a shared love of basketball.

Flowing into and out of this gathering place are three interconnected pathways. These pathways represent the journeys that have shaped the Lynx story, honouring those who came before, celebrating those who walk alongside the club today, and acknowledging the generations who will continue to carry the story forward.

The pathways also reflect the movement of the wider Lynx community, from players who travel from across Australia and around the world, to supporters who make their way to games each week. They represent the many journeys that connect through the club and the shared experiences that bring people together.

Surrounding these pathways are community symbols representing the families, fans, volunteers, partners and supporters whose encouragement, passion and connection continue to strengthen the Lynx both on and off the court.

The artwork acknowledges the past while celebrating the present and looking towards the future. It is a story of growth, connection and belonging, recognising that every journey contributes to the strength of the Perth Lynx community.

Together we honour the past, celebrate the present, and continue the journey forward.

Jersey to be revealed in coming days.

Jersey to be revealed in coming days.

Artist: Carly Grey.

Artist bio: I am a palawa woman who grew up on the North West Coast of Lutruwita (Tasmania). I have lived on Noongar country (Western Australia) since 2019.

I completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Sociology and minoring in Aboriginal Studies. In December 2024 I completed my Master’s in Primary Education.

I am currently working in a First Nation Liaison role in a primary school as well as doing relief teaching on my off days. In my spare time I coach at a gym and work on projects for Krakani Creations, my art business.

I started my art journey in 2021 as an emotional outlet to connect to my heritage and build on my cultural identity. Using art, I have found stronger connections in my personal relationships through healing and educational conversations.

I hope to continue my artistic journey in the future as well as incorporating my knowledge into my teaching while I continue to learn and create.

Jersey design story: This design celebrates the enduring strength, culture and connection of the palawa people of Lutruwita (Tasmania).

Throughout the artwork, the number nine is intentionally repeated to honour the nine traditional countries of Lutruwita prior to colonisation, recognising the diversity and resilience of Tasmania’s First Peoples.

On the front of the jersey, nine figures appear on each side, representing not only the players, but also the wider Tasmanian Jewels community, including coaches, staff, volunteers, supporters and everyone who contributes to the team’s journey.

Running along both sides of the jersey are waterways, connected by nine abalone shells. Abalone shells were traditionally used by palawa women, and still used today, to mix ochre for ceremony and cultural practices.

The waterways acknowledge that palawa people are saltwater people, reflecting our deep and ongoing connection to Country, sea and waterways.

Flowing alongside the waterways are maireener (Tasmanian rainbow kelp) shells, which hold deep cultural significance for palawa women through the making of shell necklaces. This art form has been passed down through countless generations, connecting us to our ancestors, our Country and our continuing cultural identity.

Each leg features nine yula (mutton birds), recognising the long-standing cultural tradition of muttonbirding, a practice that continues today and reflects the passing of cultural knowledge, responsibility and tradition across generations.

Beneath the yula are journey lines connected by petroglyphs, representing traditional rock carvings that remain as enduring records of palawa culture, history and presence across the landscape.

On the back of the jersey, the journey lines symbolise the paths travelled by players, families and communities, coming together from different places with a shared purpose. They reflect the team’s collective journey, the connections formed through sport and the continuation of culture into the future.

Also featured are nine meeting places, each containing five figures, representing the five players who stand together on the court at any one time. These meeting places symbolise unity, teamwork, shared strength and the support that surrounds every player both on and off the court.

Jersey to be revealed in coming days.

Jersey to be revealed in coming days.