Photo Credit: Perth Scorchers
The Perth Scorchers will proudly wear a uniquely designed indigenous playing kit in all their WBBL matches this week and participate in cultural activities and acknowledgements to celebrate NAIDOC week.At the core of the indigenous strip, designed by WA artist Kevin Bynder, is a story of inspiring the confidence to dream big.
The top part of the design shows the tribal area of the Whadjuk people, the traditional owners of the land surrounding the iconic WACA Ground.
There are five circles within the design, four circles to represent youth groups with the large circle being the Elders.
The Elders are teaching the youth about law, culture and customs to become traditional owners and leaders of their tribe, inspiring the youth to be the best version of themselves.
The sides of the shirt represent the up and coming cricket players, with Scorchers players represented in the middle of the artwork design.
The pathways interconnect the youth cricketers with the Perth Scorchers; the players interacting with the youth, inspiring and giving confidence to all those who dream big to become like their idols.
The playing kits will also feature the Walkabout Wickets artwork, which tells the story of the 1868 Aboriginal team that toured England.
Last week, Cricket Australia Indigenous Engagement Specialist Courtney Hagen, spoke of the importance of the Walkabout Wickets artwork as part of a broader cultural awareness session with Scorchers players and staff.
In a powerful and thought-provoking discussion, players learned the journey of the 1868 Aboriginal XI cricket team, a backbone of Australian Cricket that became a story of strength, resilience and triumph in a time of hardship and struggle.
As has occurred at each home fixture this year, the Scorchers will continue to come together pre-match for a Barefoot Circle ceremony with opposition players, to acknowledge and pay respects to all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The act also shows a commitment to reconciliation and working together toward a connected country.
The week’s activities will culminate with the rebel Women’s Big Bash League First Nations Festival of Cricket on Saturday and Sunday, with the Scorchers taking on the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder at Sydney Showgrounds Stadium.
NAIDOC WEEK FIXTURES:
Match 8
Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers
Wednesday 11 November, 11:30am WST
Blacktown International Sportspark
LIVE: Fox Cricket, Kayosports, cricket.com.au
Match 9
Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Renegades
Saturday 14 November, 9:15am WST
Sydney Showgrounds Stadium
LIVE: Channel 7, Fox Cricket, Kayosports, cricket.com.au
Match 10
Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers
Sunday 15 November, 7:20am WST
Sydney Showgrounds Stadium
LIVE: Channel 7, Fox Cricket, Kayosports, cricket.com.au
Name of Author: Perth Scorchers
The Perth Scorchers are an Australian men’s Twenty20 cricket team competing in the Big Bash League. Based in Perth, Western Australia, they wear an orange uniform and play their home games at Perth Stadium.
