NBL launch Reconciliation Action Plan to boost opportunities for Indigenous players

The NBL have committed to creating greater opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander basketball players in Australia as a key part of their inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Every game of the upcoming 2020-21 NBL season will again be LIVE, FREE and in HD via SBS On Demand, with select games also live on SBS VICELAND.

The league launched the plan today to mark the commencement of NAIDOC Week in 2020, a celebration of the histories, cultures and achievements of Indigenous peoples with 'Always Was, Always Will Be' the theme of this year's edition.

Developed by the NBL's Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group which is co-chaired by General Manager of The Long Walk and Indigenous Affairs Advisor at the Essendon Football Club, Leanne Brooke, and NBL Commissioner, Jeremy Loeliger, the RAP promises to showcase the talents of Indigenous players across the country.

NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman highlighted the NBL's responsibility to reflect the diversity of basketball and the impact that Indigenous peoples have had on the game in Australia.

“As a leading sporting and community organisation, the NBL is committed to using its influence and profile to further advance the process of reconciliation and national unity," Kestelman said.

“Reconciliation is about strengthening meaningful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples and where First Nations people are respected, celebrated and championed.

“We are committed to recognising and advancing the specific contribution that Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples have made to the development and success of Australian basketball.

“Basketball is one of the most culturally diverse and inclusive sports in Australia and the second most participated team sport. As Australia’s premier basketball league, the NBL’s aim is to unite our varied and vast basketball communities.”

Co-Chair of the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group Leanne Brooke added: "As a proud Gunditjmara woman, I have been pleased to be part of the NBL's Reconciliation journey. This RAP is a very important step in that journey."

“With this RAP, the NBL is committed to doing more to acknowledge the contributions made by Indigenous communities, not just in the game of basketball but to our broader culture and society and develop pathways and opportunities for Indigenous people in basketball.”

The key commitments of the RAP include:

• Increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander player recruitment, retention and professional development
• Establishing talent identification and selection criteria with a view to nine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players participating in its NBL Next Gen program each year
• From the 2021-22 season, the NBL will fund 50% of the minimum salary for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players engaged by NBL Clubs as Development Players
• For all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players engaged by NBL Clubs as rostered players for the first time from the 2021-22 season onwards, none of their salary will count towards the salary cap for the duration of their first contract and only 50% of their salary will count towards the salary cap for the duration of their second contract
• Recruitment of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Player Wellbeing Officer within NBL Headquarters
• The NBL will assist each participating Club to identify local support networks that can provide additional resources and act as an additional point of contact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and staff members who may require local support from time to time