36ers and Lightning to share First Nations jersey design

The Adelaide 36ers and Adelaide Lightning have come together in a landmark moment to celebrate First Nations culture with a joint Indigenous jersey design.

The design was created by Temaana Yundu Sanderson-Bromley, a proud Adnyamathanha (Flinders Ranges), Narungga (Yorke Peninsula) and Wangkangurru-Yarluyandi (Simpson Desert) man with support from students at the Aboriginal Basketball Academy.

The design tells the story of both clubs’ histories and the connection to the Kaurna Land of the Adelaide Plains in which both play and train.

It will be the first time both clubs wear the same design, and a significant coming together to celebrate First Nations culture and heritage while recognising the immense contribution First Nations people have made to Australian basketball.

The NBL’s Indigenous Round will be held across two weeks starting on October 22^nd with the Lightning to wear the special jersey on Saturday 1 November against Canberra with the 36ers to wear it a day later when they host Illawarra Hawks.

Adelaide 36ers CEO Nic Barbato said the Indigenous Round was always a special celebration, but it would be more so this season.

“The Adelaide 36ers are proud to celebrate and honour the rich contribution to Australian society and in particular to the game of basketball of our First Nations people by wearing this incredible jersey designed by Temaana and the students at the Aboriginal Basketball Academy,” Mr Barbato said.

“The design really tells a story of history, community and connection to country and I know our players are excited to wear it as part of the Indigenous Round.

“It is a significant occasion for our club, and it makes it more special that we will share the jersey design with the Adelaide Lightning.”

Adelaide Lightning CEO Melanie MacGillivray said this marks a milestone moment in uniting the two clubs through a shared story.

“This marks a special moment in the history of the Adelaide Lightning as we are united with the Adelaide 36ers through First Nations art and sport. It really is a testament to the collaborative relationship we have in Adelaide and the central message of connection to land and community,” Ms MacGillivray said.

“We are proud to celebrate our First Nations culture and have incredible ambassadors including Jas Fejo and Dallas Loughridge who are inspiring the next generation of First Nations basketball talent across the country.”

Temaana’s art combines traditional and contemporary themes.

A graduate of the Aboriginal Basketball Academy (ABA), he remains involved as a board member and mentor.

He says he was thrilled to have Academy students assist in the jersey design process.

“It was really amazing being able to work with the students at the Aboriginal Basketball Academy (ABA), to hear about their stories and unpack what they valued about Kaurna Country, Adelaide and the 36ers and Lightning,” Temaana said.

“Working with them gave me great direction that allowed me to get into an artistic rhythm that carried me through the artwork. 

“It is a great honour to be able to combine my culture and artwork with the voices and ideas of the students at the ABA to create a design that celebrates the history and strength of the 36ers team and organisation.

“I hope that the artwork represents the cultural and continual connection of people to Kaurna Country and the heritage of the two clubs.”

Temaana’s business Mardlaapa Designs creates apparel and commissioned art pieces and runs art workshops.

The ABA was established in 2017 by a group of current and past Woodville District Basketball Club members including former coaches, players and life members.

The Academy aims to engage Aboriginal students in years 10, 11 and 12 to support their SACE completion while learning and enjoying the game of basketball. 

The jerseys are now on sale through the Adelaide 36ers Store.

Read the description of the jersey design in the words of artist Temaana Yundu Sanderson-Bromley (Mardlaapa Designs):

This artwork tells the story of the Adelaide 36ers, Adelaide Lightning and Kaurna land – the Adelaide Plains and the waterways (river, ocean and waterholes) which stretch throughout it. The centre circle on which the player’s number is placed represents the 36ers and Lightning on gameday with the players and staff all beside the Karrawirra Parri (River Torrens) as they all work together for the shared goal of club success.

Water sources were, and continue to be, essential to Aboriginal people, offering food, drinking water, medicine, and more. Beyond their physical importance, water plays a significant role in our creation stories, connecting people, places, and time.

Scattered across the design are kangaroo tracks – a powerful symbol of continual forward movement. They represent the journey of the Adelaide 36ers and Adelaide Lightning: facing challenges and hardships but always rising and pushing ahead.

People seated along the riverbanks represent the broader community, stretching from Adelaide across all South Australia – a reminder that the teams are supported by a deep and diverse network of fans.

The five stars on the front of the jersey pay tribute to the clubs’ proud histories, representing the five championships won by the Adelaide Lightning and the five jersey numbers retired by the Adelaie 36ers. These stars are a reminder of both teams’ legacies, the players who helped build them, and the moments that continue to inspire future generations. Acknowledging this history is central to the identity of the clubs and their connection to community, pride, and resilience.

The side panels of the design symbolise the ocean shorelines of Adelaide grounding the jersey further in local Country and place.

On the back of the jersey, a mountain range is featured along the lower edge and has two meanings. They represent both the Adelaide Hills on Kaurna Country, and a personal connection to the artist’s own Country – the mountains of Adnyamathanha yarta - Flinders Ranges.

The continual flow on of the rivers across the jersey represent the connection between the Adelaide 36ers, the Adelaide Lightning and the Aboriginal Basketball Academy. The nine pink stars across the back signify the nine years of the Aboriginal Basketball Academy. This important initiative continues to provide life-changing educational and sporting opportunities for Aboriginal students across Adelaide and South Australia.

This design proudly stands on Kaurna Country.