Melbourne United unveil NBL22 Indigenous Jersey

Written by Melbourne United Media

Melbourne United have unveiled their new Indigenous jersey ahead of NBL22’s Indigenous Rounds, which span across Rounds 14 and 15.

Designed by Mandy Nicholson, the jersey represents the Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne), the Wurundjeri people, of which Mandy is one.

These are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Melbourne United plays its games. Having designed the past two Indigenous jerseys for United, Nicholson spoke of her delight that United were continuing on with her designs for a third consecutive season.

“I think it’s an amazing opportunity,” she said.

“It’s allowed us to provide the players and officials at Melbourne United with a snapshot of our culture and who we are.”

Featuring the name “NARRM”, the traditional Indigenous name for Melbourne, across the chest, the design highlights the traditional carving culture of Wurundjeri.

The flowing design represents the roots of the Baban Darrang (Mother Tree). Her roots resonate from the centre and go deep into the biik (ground) sending signals through her roots to her saplings. This is symbolic of Baban Darrang being 'culture', and the wyett (saplings) being the 'next generation of leaders'.

Highlighting the traditional art style of Victoria was a priority for Nicholson, who has been a practising artist in Narrm for over 25 years.

“I think it’s really important that local artists are engaged, and that the local style and narrative is told.

“I think it opens people’s eyes on a national scale that our style is very different here in Victoria… We’re carvers, we have a lot of straight, symmetrical lines because we carve into wood. Our style is very unique.”

Sometimes spelt Naarm, rather than Narrm, Nicholson explained why the difference may appear in different mediums.

“When it comes to interpreting the spelling of a traditional ancient language in the modern context, people hear it differently or can spell it differently, but it still has the same sound.”

Melbourne United will wear the NBL22 Indigenous Jersey in a pair of home games against the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday 5 March, and then again on Thursday 10 March against the Perth Wildcats.

Tickets are on sale for both games here, while three and five game memberships for United’s seven remaining home games are available here.

The jersey will be available for purchase from tomorrow, Tuesday 22 February, at 9am, via our online store. It will also be available for purchase at our February 5 and 10 home games.